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COPYRIGFIT DEPOSIT. 



SUSANNA 



A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS 



BY 



WALTER JASPER 



1908 

Mayhew Publishing Co., 

Boston 



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' Two Copies nccdtTji 

j APR 3 ij^oa 

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Copyright, 1908, 

B Y 

Walter Jasper 



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DRAMATIS PERSONS. 

JEHOIACHIN, King oj Israel. 

SIMEON -^ 

ICHABOT ! 

AARON } Judges. 

GEDALIAH I 

NAPHTALI J 

HILKIAH, Father to Susanna. 

JOSEPH, A youth. 

GAMLIEL, A pleader. 

NAHUM I ^j^^^^ 

NATHAN \^^'^''''- 

EZEKIEL, A hnrper. 

ABED ) 

ENOCH > Men-ser-oants. 

ABSALOM ) 

SHALLUM I j.-y. 

ISHUAH 1 ^''^'^'^ 

SUSANNA, Wije to Jehoiachm. 

ANNA, Her mother 

ZILPAH \ ^ . . , ^ 
oTTTjA 1 Frie^ids to Susanna. 

SARA, A pleader. 

BENJAMIN I ^^./^^^„ ofSusanno. 
K All EL ) 

People at Court. 
The Scene is just outside of Babylon. 



A DRAMA 

Act I. Scene i. 

{Court of justice in (he palace outside oj Babylon allotted by 
Nebuchadnezzar to Jehoiachin, the captive king of Israel.) 

Gamliel: — Most righteous judges, I do here appear 

To lodge complaint against the widow Ruth 
For debt of moneys long since overdue. 
Her pious spouse, ere he w?.s laid in rest, 
(God rest him now!) ten golden shekels had 
Of me at no usurious rate, as says 
The law of Moses. I, thus far, though pressed, 
Have waited patiently, but can no more. 
The rich Chaldean crowding at my heel. 
Wherefore I pray you, elders of our tribe, 
Esteemed of captive Jew and Babylonian 
Pacha, satrap, chief judge, and common folk, 
And sheik and Bedouin shifting as the sands. 
Bid Ahor's relict quickly summoned be 
To stand account. 

Ichabot: — Let her be hither brought, — 

To-morrow. 

Simeon: — Yea; to-morrow. 

Sara: — O, revered 

Upholders of our fathers' law, I have 
Been wronged. Have pity: — Justice: — Sara is 
My name. I live in the town close by the gate 
Of the winged beast. My husband's brother has 
Refused that which the Law commands. It is 
So written in the Law — . 



2 SUSAN X A 

ICHABOT: — To-morrow come. 

And justice shall be meted unto you. 

Simeon: — To-morrow, of a certainty. 

1ST. :Max: — Give ear, 

O judges! Lend — . 

Ichabot; — To-morrow. 

2ND Man: — Pitiful, 

Kind elders, hark — . 

Ichabot: — To-morrow. 

Woman : — Mercy I I 

Am ruined if — . 

Ichabot and Simeon: — To-morrow. Let the hall 

Be cleared. Grasp not my robe. To-morrow we 
Shall hear you all. To-morrow. yExeuut). 



SUSAXXA 3 

Scene 2. 

(Street leading jrom Jehoiachin's graunds.) 

Ichabot: Xahum: then Simeon. 

Nahum: ^ Peace be with 

You, elder. 

Ichabot: — With you be peace. 

Nahum:— The elders hold 

A serious council: a most serious. 
The King, being under the dismal influence 
Of the priests of Bel — mav God confound their 

foul 
Intrigues! — has signed, 'tis said, a warrant for 
The undoing of our highest ornaments; 
To wit: the Heaven-inspired youths that hold 
Responsible ofhces at the imperial court. 
'Tis noised about he mil subject them to 
Infernal tortures. There is need of plans, 
Of drawing up of supplications, of 
Immediate action. Come. Let's haste. 

Ichabot : — I am 

A little deaf. What did you say ? 

Nahum {impatiently) : — The priests — 

The intriguing priests of Bel — have plotted in 
Their silver shrine unspeakable injuries 
To our bravest youths. The king has given ear 
To their evil machinations. Elder, 'tis 
The gravest business we have had in years. 
They are wolves. They will not rest till they 

destroy 
Our godly nation, root and branch. We must 



4 SUSANNA 

Attempt to soften the angry king. Your tongue 
Must speak for Israel. Come, Ichabot: 
Delay is death. Come, let us go. God help 
Us if we fail to do our uttermost. 

Ichabot: — God help us, Nahum. You know how I have 
lived 
For Israel with my heart's blood. If my 
Undoing would ease her yoke one bit, my life 
Is at her call. But, ah! to-day, dear friend, 
I am a broken reed. My tongue cleaves to 
Its roof. I totter like a drunkard. I 
Should be a laughing-stock and a useless drag. 
God help us! 

Nahum (shortly): — Yea, God help us! (Exit Ich.) 

Simeon: — Stop me not, 

Dear Nahum. I will soon be back. 

Nahum: — Nay, friend, 

I am on life and death. There is a foul 
Iniquitous conspiracy. What think 
You, elder? Shall we let the rotten race 
Of intriguing priests wipe out the elect 
Of God? Shall we continue to endure 
Their mean cabal ? You know the king is strong 
And weak: — and weakest where we're weak; 
In wrath or danger a stiff iron rod, but bends 
Like a scrannel straw to wheedling words. 
He has been good to us — great thanks to him! — 
Has set our lord Jehoiachin above 
The other petty rulers, since he found 
Him obedient and useful: made 
Our Daniel, Hananiah, and the rest, 
Head-men of Babvlon and officers 



SUSANNA S 

In the palace : decked them with Chaldena names — 
As if it were an honor — and put on them 
The royal mantle and the turban. This, 
Because they did what his wise men gave up: 
Solved vexing dreams, made prophecies that were 
Fulfilled: and governed so the state's affairs 
That coffers overran and the capital 
Grew marble where it had been brick, and breathed 
In a haze of frankincense. — What, elder, shall 
We now stand idly by and see our best, 
Our wisest. Heaven-hallowed stript and flung 
To a most fiendish death ? 
Simeon: — Forgive me, friend. 

I'm sore distraught. My head spins like a blind 
Mad midge. Your words, I fear, were poured into 
A hollow buzzing shell. What is't you said ? 

Nahum (aside) : — 

Jehovah grant me patience ! — Fix your thoughts, 
Dear Simeon, I beseech : we need your sage 
Advice in a narrow strait. The monstrous priests 
Of Bel have tinkered in their silver shrine 
A loathsome plot against our brethren who 
Have gained the favor of the king. 'Tis said 
That yesterday they left their bat-flown house — 
A rainbow charnel-house, 'tis called by some — 
And marched a rusty golden image through 
The streets, and rent their clothes, and screeched 

their god 
Was wroth — was highly wroth — and came before 
His majesty — drawn out in a long train 
Of idlers and fanatics — bade him hand 
Them certain infidels to do with as 
Their god saw fit, or else, — fierce plagues, and fire 



6 SUSANNA 

And sword, — and other threats : and then they 

coaxed 
And flattered: told him he was great and would 
Be greater. And he, like wax, was melted by 
The subtle flame. — O, elder, it will be 
A dreadful fate, and we, deprived of our 
Protectors if the Lord God will not vouchsafe 
A miracle. Yet must we do our most 
Ere vexing Him again with our complaints. — 
The elders are quickly met to entreat the king, 
But await your eloquent tongue, authority, 
And power at the court. And you will come? 

Simeon: — Friend, leave me for a space. I'm not myself. 
I'll try to come. Make my excuses. Say 
I am not well. I'll pray to God. We must 
Rely on God. 

Nahum {looks at him with contempt: shortly): — 
Farewell. 



SUSANNA 7 

Scene 3. 

(Same street, farther down. The street is in direction op' 
posite to Jehoiachin's house.) 

Ichabot: Simeon {behind), 

Ichabot: — Ah! how the sun 

Beats on my aged head. The blood, like flames 
Of pestilence, runs up and down my poor 
Parched bones. O, could some calm Euphrates 

lave 
My burdened heart, dragged by the weight of Bel, 
With the deep coolness of its scented stream! 
Ah! she would pity me. — 

Simeon: — Look, brother, why 

Such haste ? 

Ichabot : — Is it you, dear Simeon ? I did 

Not know that you were there. How worn you 

seem. 
And pale! 'Twas a weary, dreary day. 

Simeon: — Aye, so 

It was: and long. (Pauses,) A burning sun, and 

roads 
Like alabaster. (With feigned eagerness,) Will 
you take a walk ? 

Ichabot : — Nay, I must home to taste the noonday meal. 
I'm faint. 

Simeon: — I, too. I'll see you on your way. 

Ichabot : — Pray, trouble not yourself. You need repose 



8 SUSANNA 

Simeon : — Tush, threescore years and ten can wait on 
four. 
Lean on my arm, friend Ichabot. We'll cross 
To yonder side, under the tamarisks. 
'Tis shadier there. Did Nahum speak to you ? 

Ichabot: — Why, yes, he spoke to me. My soul is grieved, 
And I would give my worn-out life and all 
I have, and all I hope to have^ to save, 
For Israel those precious youths. Alas, 
The Lord with heavy trial proves us. 

Simeon: — Yea, 

With heavy, heavy trial. 

Ichabot: — Nahum spoke 

To you? 

Simeon: — Why, yes, he spoke to me, and I 
Am desolate. Such admirable youths! 
Such brilliant minds! 

Ichabot : — The elders still may bend 

The royal purpose. There, there, Simeon, 
You have a subject for your eloquence ! 
O, how the priests will shrink in blank dismay, 
Dragging their peevish idols on the ground ! 
How will Jehovah triumph by your lips 
On which, 'tis said, the wild bees swarm! 

Simeon:— Nay, nay, 

Dear Ichabot, you grossly flatter me. 
After your practised tongue, who will hear mine ? 
(Exeunt.) 



SUSANNA 9 

Scene 4. 

(Grove and garden adjoining house of Jehoiachin.) 

Simeon: {then) Ichabot. 

Simeon: — I'll wait to-day, praying to Heaven for 
Complete success. I can no longer live, 
If I must still be galled by the hot chain 
That sears me to the quick. Susanna, thou 
Wilt be the death of me. Why did'st thou not, 
Like that frail flower from which thou hast thy 

name, 
Lie hid among the roots in Hilkiah's fields, 
But must shoot up amidst the yellow shocks. 
And overtop the waving corn, a white 
And dazzling lily, stealing the strength of men ? — 
What have I done that I should be thus crazed. 
Not knowing if I sit, or stand, or sleep. 
Or wake, or live, or dream? Is this, O Lord, 
Thy punishment? When in the synagogue 
Erected by Jehoiachin, the last 
Of the blest line of David, and our king — 

God, I would not harm him even in mind — 

1 lay the taleth on my age-bowed back 

And kiss the holy cord and beat my breast, 

Is it for Thee, Jehovah, I am meek ? 

Is it for Thee, in the early morning-light 

I stare Jerusalem-w^ard with vacant eyes 

Sinking the tfilin into my shrivelled arms, 

And gritting out the sacred solemn words ? 

O God, have mercy! Thou art just. {Listens.) 

The gate 
Is gently swinging wide. My heart stands still. 
Can it be she ? O lucky chance ! {peers out further.) 



to SUSANNA 

A man! 
What can a man want at this time of day 
In Jehoiachin's house-garden ? I cannot 
Distinguish who he is. — Lo, how he slinks 
From palm to palm like a lone ghost that fears 
The mezuzeh. — Hold, I see his garment. — Why, 
It's Ichabot! He moves with cautious steps. 
What does he here ? Why creep — ? O, can it 

be—? 
O what a frightful thought throbs through my brain ! 
Can he — the gray-haired Ichabot — can he. 
The shrunken wretch, four-score and cheating now 
The grave of every minute that he lives ! — 
Can he — the shameless criminal! — be fired 
With lust for the chaste Susanna, — as am I ? 
He's drawing near. A plague on him ! — God 

save 
You, Ichabot. 

Ichabot: — Who speaks? — O, Simeon! 

Simeon: — Yes, Simeon. You seem involved in some 

Dark search, friend Ichabot. Have you lost 
your wits ? 

Ichabot: — And you, friend Simeon, like an ambushed 
thief. 
You startled me. 

Simeon: — Friend Ichabot I — let 

Us not quarrel. 'Tis not seemly. You have made 
A hasty meal. 

Ichabot : — And you a hastier, 

Friend Simeon, since I find you here before 
Me. 



StrsANNA a 

Simeon: — Nay, dear Ichabot, I had but dropped 

Exhausted under the shady bough to rest 
My shattered limbs. 

Ichabot: — And I, dear Simeon, 

Was screening my worn body from the heat. 

Simeon: — I must go regulate some wordy suits 
Presented yesterday. 

Ichabot: — Aye, aye, dear Simeon, 

"When duty calls, delay thou not," was wont 
To say Ben Yezer. Peace be with you. 

Simeon (not moving) : — Is 

To-day not a festive day in Babylon ? 
Meseems I saw far off toward the city-walls 
A gorgeous band of burnished horsemen. — 

Have 
You seen Jehoiachin? 

Ichabot: — Not I. 

Simeon: — He dines 

With the king? 

Ichabot : — I know not. 

Simeon: — Is Baruch, the scribe. 

His honored guest and cherished of our race, 
Within? 

Ichabot: — I know not. 

Simeon: — The darling Benjamin, 

So like his God-kept sire, and Rahel, are 
They too gone forth? 

Ichabot: — I do not know. 



1^ SUSANNA 

Simeon: — The dame 

Susanna — . 

Ichabot:— Who? 

Simeon: — Susanna, the most chaste 

Of Juda's daughters — . You are not quite well ? 

Ichabot: — What makes you think so? Nay, I'm very 
well. 
It was a sudden sideache made me blanch. 

Simeon: — I thought the ache were elsewhere, Ichabot. 

Ichabot: — No, no. 

Simeon : — Dear Ichabot, I am your friend. 

I cannot see you suffer. Tell me all. 

Ichabot: — No, no. 

Simeon: — And it shall be with me as in 
The tomb. 

Ichabot : — Ah, me ! 

Simeon: — Dear Ichabot, I, too, 

Am tortured by a secret grief. It may 
Be there is more in common in our woe 
Than we suppose. Let us console ourselves 
By sharing our sweet agony, and guard 
An inviolate silence, whatsoe'er it be. 
Do but speak out. 

Ichabot: — Dear Simeon, we have 

Been closest comrades up from youth: 
Have bleared our eyes together o'er the Law; 
Have warmed our sluggish wits by the bright fire 



SUSANNA 13 

Of sages; conned by night and day, in heat 

And cold, under the mournful poplars by 

The river-brink, or in the soundless cells 

Of wise Neharda, Toroh and Talmud, both 

The Mishna and Gemara. If, as says 

The learned rabbi, he increases life 

Who adds to his knowledge of the Law, then we 

Have surely earned our age. We are the most 

Respected elders of our tribe, shining each 

The more through the reflected light of each. 

Our word is law. No one dare raise his voice 

Against our simple nod. Therefore, dear friend 

Since we to eternal secrecy are bound, 

Tell me your care, for I am elder by 

A tithe of my own years. Yea, faster than 

The grave I'll keep your confidence. Yea, should 

You purpose crimes unspeakable. Yea, should 

You go so far as force your neighbor's wife. 

Simeon: — Ah! Ichabot, my ears shrink from your words. 

Ichabot: — But not from the unsaid thought. 

Simeon: — Ah, Ichabot! 

Ichabot: — Me, too, Susanna's beauty has defiled. 

How wretched, maddened she has rendered me! 
How like a beast the sight of her fair arms 
And angel-face has made me, that I longed 
For a beast's strength to crush her! I can bear 
The rack no more. Let red Gehenna with 
Its fearful torments burn me in live coals, 
But I must quench the raging fire that seethes 
In my long-tortured frame. — Now, Simeon, 
Since we are wasted by the same disease, 
And need the self-same medicine, let us 



H SUSANNA 

Await Susanna at her bath, as we 

Had singly done, and if the stars be true, 

Beg, or compel her to our steadfast will. 



Act II. Scene i. 

(Room in Jehoiachin^s house.) 

Jehoiachin: Susanna. 

Susanna: — Dear husband, why must you go forth to-day? 
Can you not wait on the king another time? 
His Majesty w^ill take a good excuse. 
He has been kind to us. To-day, 'tis said, 
He has a sudden spell. O, keep away 
To-day! 

Jehoiachin: — Be calm, little bird, be calm. Your 

heart 
Is panting like a captured thrush. There is 
No danger, dear: at least, for me. I would 
That I might know the same for others of 
Our people. I must use what influence 
I have with the king. — Nay, nay, dear love, you 

should 
Not tremble so. 

Susanna: — O, you are great and good, 

Jehoiachin, and wise and brave: forgive 
Your foolish wife. Perhaps it is the air. 
So humid, sultry, heavy, stifling, makes 
My heart lie like a leaden weight in my 
Perturbed breast. A nauseous sense of ill 
Oppresses me. The priests — the plots — the 

dark 
Dread rumors half-unsaid — O husband, stay 
Away! 



i6 SUSANNA 

Jehoiachin: — Dear wife, the three young men most 

loved 
By Juda, and her brightest gem, are in 
The toils of danger. Bel and his votaries 
Have roused the king to jealous rage. Swift aid — 
Entreaties, prayers, arguments — may save 
Them : otherwise, they are in the hands of God 
Alone. — And yet, perhaps my going would 
Not serve them. It might more incense the king. 
And then I should have a burden on my mind 
More irksome than impresses the crystal head 
Of the beard-braided dwarf in the throne-room : — 

three 
Stout columns of our faith, — O heavy weight! — 
The whole imperial edifice, and you. 
Dear wife, to crown the formidable load — 
A broken lily. That, beloved, is more 
Than I can bear. 

Susanna: — Nay, laugh at me dear lord 

And master. I deserve it. I — I am — 
I am not cowardlv. I only love 
You. 

(Benjamin and Rahel rush in. Benjamin clasps mother: 
Rahely father.) 

Benjamin and Rahel: — Here you are! We have you 
caught at last! 
You could not escape us long. We're playing 

hide- 
And-seek. Guess where we've looked. 

Susanna: — Guess where? O, I 

Am sure you looked in the most unlikely place. 



SUSANNA 17 

Benjamin : — Why, so we did, mamma. We peeped behind 
The front-door benches first. Of course, you 

were 
Not there. Then into the court we came, and 

stared 
About. You were not there. Then Rahel said: 
"Let's see if they're in the fountain." How I 

laughed ! 
It was so funny! In the fountain! Oh! 
''They couldn't be there," I said. ''They would 

get wet.' ' 
But she kept saying: "Look — let's look. The 

man 
That's in the fountain doesn't mind." So we 
Went near, when all at once there came a spurt ! 
And then — 

Susanna: — And then? 

Benjamin and Rahel : — And then we ran away ! 

Rahel: — In the arches, papa. And then we slid along 

The wall, and round the balcony — and here ! 
(Hugs him,) 

Susanna : — Come hither, Rahel dear. Let me brush back 
Your hair. 

Jehoiachin: — I go to the city now. What 

shall 
I bring for my darling children? 

Rahel: — Dear mamma, 

May I smell your perfume-box? What a pretty 

chain ! 
Is it gold? I'd like a perfume-box, papa, 



i8 SUSANNA 

With a golden chain, and beryl-stones like eyes, 
In the middle. 

Susanna: — They are much too big for you, 

Such toys as these, my child: or rather, you 
Are much too small for them. Nay, do not pout. 
Papa will fetch you something beautiful. 

Jehoiachin: — And you, my son? 

Benjamin: — I want a sword, papa: 

A long, sharp sword, with an iron haft, to kill 
The giants with. I'm going to be like my 
Great-great-gran'ther, David. 

Jehoiachin: — Then you need a sling. 

Benjamin: — Well, won't a sword be just as good, papa ? 
I never tried a sling, I think I could 
Do better with a sword. 

Jehoiachin: — Nay, nay, my son, 

A sling on the side of God is a mighty sword. 
Have you not noticed in the Sacred Books 
How God has ever chosen to wield His might 
Through insignificant means? You were with me 
In the garden when the reverend Baruch read 
Our glorious history. You glowed to hear 
The triumph of Gideon, and murmured more 
Than once that night, in sleep: ''The sword of the 

Lord, 
And of Gideon." What was it thrilled you so ? 
Was it the battle? Nay, you've heard too oft 
The deeds of war. It was, my son, the odds — 
The fearful odds against your hero: how 
He overcame the Midianites with jars, 
And lamps, and trumpets. — Puny, too, 



SUSANNA 19 

Was David our progenitor, ere he 

Opposed Goliath: yet he slew him with 

A pebble. — Thus the Lord loves to exert 

His infinite power, putting a giant's strength 

In a weakling's fist, and a host in a single man. 

Therefore, my son, be valiant, righteous, like 

Thy ancestor. Fear God. Prepare thy mind 

To rule in His and David's name; that so 

Our race may see at no far day the heir 

Of Israel honoring his throne. 

(Enter) Joseph: — My lord, 

The elders wait. 

Jehoiachin: — Ah, Joseph, my right hand! 

See, Joseph, see my little Benjamin. 
You should have heard his martial ardour: how 
He longs for David's place; and how he'd kill 
The giants with a long sharp sword. — You'll 

have 
A skilful pupil some fine day. 

Joseph:— And he, 

A loyal subject. Would that God might let 

Me plant his standard — if not yours — upon 

The towers of Jerusalem. 

Jehoiachin: — That still 

May be. We live in hope. You will take care 
Of him when I am gone, dear Joseph? 

Joseph: — More 

Than of my life. 

Susanna: — You said there was no chance 

Of danger, dear: why do you talk with such 



20 SUSANNA 

Solemnity? O, do not go. Dissuade 
Him, Joseph, please. 

Jehoiachin: — If I wait longer, I 

Shall stay, I fear. 

Joseph : — Dear lady, it would be 

My highest honor to preserve my lord 
With my own blood so that you might not weep. 

Jehoiachin: — Nay, this is getting serious. 

Susanna: — Come, come, 

My children: let us watch papa upon 
His horse. (Exeunt.) 



SUSANNA 21 

Scene 2. 

(Same. Enter Susanna, musing.) 

Susanna: — Dear children and dear husband! Each 

Is a royal wreath to Israel, — and a sad 
Reminder. But to me they are my whole 
Life's happiness. Was ever captive prince 
Like Benjamin ? Was ever uncrowned king 
Like Jehoiachin? Ah, husband, how my soul 
Wells up in thankfulness and prayer to thee I 
I feel that I could kiss the dust thou treadst. 
I know not why I have been singled out 
For such unending joy. — And yet, to-day, 
I fear — I fear — I know not why. I must 
Have some diversion. (Strikes bell.) 

(Enter Dabira.) Bid Ezekiel 
The harper come. (Exit Dabira.) 
(Susanna seats herself on divan and begins to embroider.) 

(Enter) Ezekiel: — The blessings of God on you, 
My Lady, and your house, our race's hope. 
Jehovah lend your days the fragrant strength 
Of the branching cedar. 

Susanna: — Father, be welcome. I 

Am sad. A nameless dread oppresses me. 
My lord is gone to court, and the minutes drag 
Like hopeless caravans. I would be blithe. 
Can merriness be bought with wishes? Then 
How merry would I be ! — But failing that, 
Sing me some low, sweet, wistful melody 
To soothe the aching fulness of my soul. 



22 SUSANNA 

EsEKiEL (strikes preliminary notes, then plays):- 

I. 

The sickles flashed and silent fell, 
And Boaz' grain beneath the sun 

In golden sheaves was laid. 
The gleaners came ere the light had run, 
And far behind, in the distance dun, 

A weary, bending maid. 

Her name was Ruth : she gleaned the grain 
That the gleaners' eyes had sought in vain. 

II. 

And Boaz, standing on a knoll. 

Asks who the maid is, what her name, 

And why she gleans his fields: 
And learning, threatens hea\7 blame 
On him that in aught shall do her shame, 

For his heart to pity yields. 

And ever, like a shade in grief, 
Sweet Ruth slow flits from sheaf to sheaf. 

III. 

Lord Boaz woke in the dead of night: 
A something soft was at his feet: — 

His hand lay on his hilt. 
Then Ruth rose up and in accents sweet, 
Said, ''Lord, thou gav'st me drink and meat: 

Do with me as thou wilt." 

No more shall Ruth with the gleaners plod: 
S>ip hath reaped her reward at the hands of God. 



SUSANNA 23 

Scene 3. 

(^Marble- paved court of Jehoiachin^s house. Awning along 
side oj house. Divans, benches.) 

Susanna: Zilpah: Shua. 

ZiLPAH : — We must not tarry long, Susanna. We go 
With our husbands and the elders to the court 
To plead for the young men's lives. Will you 
not come? 

Susanna : — I do not like the turmoil of the town. 
The regular houses and monotonous streets 
Invest my mind with dungeon-walls. Besides, 
I have my children to look after. 

Shua: — They 

Will be well cared for by the maids. 

Susanna (gently) : — Nay, dear, 

You know no children of your own. 

Shua (angrily): — And if 

I don't, is it my fault ? I'm sure I've done 
The best I could. (Calming down.) You have 

a pretty taste 
For earrings. 

Susanna: — 'Twas my mother's mother's taste. 

Zilpah: — The trouble these young men are in quite rends 
My soul. They always were so modest, neat, 
And exemplary. Susanna, you recall, 
I trust, the day they parted from their kin? 
It was a summer's day, — a day like this, — 
And all their relatives and friends were drt 



24 SUSANNA 

About them — an appealing, tearful dike. 

The pompous eunuch in the center stood : 

His shrill, sharp voice commanded, threatened, 

begged. 
At last, the smallest of them, Mishael, turned, 
And saying, **We are ready,'* grasped the hands 
Of Daniel and Azariah, called aloud, 
*'Come, Hananiah, come," and trudged away. 

Susanna: — I do indeed remember it. It was 
A loss to us, and yet, a gain, if it 
Be gain to dwell an honored captive. God 
Will not forsake them. 

Shua: — Daniel now is grown 

A tall, spare stripling, sallow, and rather plain. 

But O, such beautiful expression in 

His countenance, like a seraph under the skin! 

ZiLPAH : — He is a most extraordinary youth. 

And stands in favor at the court. They say 
He has prophetic vision and has told 
Things wonderful to his Majesty. God grant 
He be the saviour of our race. 

Shua: — I would 

Give much to have his heavenly eyes. The fire 
That in them is would singe my lids more black 
Than the cohel that tips them now. And yours, 
Susanna, they would burn as black as mine. 
Why don't you shade your lids? It would bring 

out 
That lovely, liquid blue. 

Susanna: (smiling) — My husband says 

He likes it as it is. 



bUSANNA 25 

Zilpah: — Jehoiachin 

Is in Babylon ? 

Susanna: — He went but shortly. — O, 

Dear Zilpah, do you think he is exposed 
To harm? I am so frightened, for I am 
Continually mindful of the past : 
The long imprisonment and the horrid cell. 
It seems that he has suffered his full due. 
His crown and liberty are gone: what can 
They take from him except — . Dear Zilpah, see, 
I am a weakling, I can bear no pain. 
The very thought o'erwhelms me. 

Zilpah: — Dear, the king 

Has naught against Jehoiachin, nay, shows 
Him daily signs of grace. He wars not on 
The weak. Why should he fear Jehoiachin? 
Are not the impetuous years of Israel's lord 
Deep-buried in the sweating prison-vault? 
No more shall Israel close its massive gates 
And bid defiance to the coming host: 
No more Jerusalem in her hilly nest 
Contain the brood of God : — at least, for long. 
Jehoiachin may live in peace : he has passed 
The age of deeds. 

Susanna: — You know my husband not. 

The blood of David never loses hope: 
The youth of David never dies. Who was 
It held the inner court until the men 
All cried for peace ? Who was it gave to the foe 
His mother and his kin that you might live ? 
Who was it lost the light of day so long ? 
Who is it now braves peril first ? Can man 



26 SUSANNA 

Undo the will of God ? Did not the scroll 

Seraiah, Baruch's brother, duly dropt 

Into Euphrates as he promised to 

The prophet, hold the doom of our prolonged 

Captivity? No hand can free us yet : 

But when the stated time is come, why then, 

The power of a Jehoiachin will e'en 

Suffice. 

ZiLPAH : — You are in the right, my child. I spoke 
In haste. It is Jerusalem cries out 
In me. 

Shua: — Dear Zilpah, we have overstaid. 

If we would help the youths we must be gone. 
I fear lest we be late at court. 



SUSANNA 27 

Scene 4. 
(In the house.) Susanna, Dabira. 

Susanna: — Where are 

The children? Benjamin's well occupied? 

Dabira: — Yes, mistress. He is with his teacher, deep 
In a new roll of parchment. 

Susanna: — Rahel, what 

Is she about? 

Dabira: — She is with her nurse. 

Susanna: — Her hair 

Was badly done to-day. You should not pour 
So much of the oil of cassia on it. — See 
That you have things ready for a bath. I think 
I'll bathe away this sluggish mood that robs 
My spirits of their wonted cheerfulness. 



Act III. Scene I. 

(Jehoiachin^s Garden.) 

Susanna: Dabira: Judith. Simeon and Ichabot, 
concealed. 

Susanna: — These sturdy trees, like me, appear to feel 
The slumberous effect of the piercing heat. 
Their branches droop, and even the lofty palm 
Looks crestfallen. Their pungent odors rise 
From the thirsting ground in exhalations dense. 
This poor young fig whose pith is tender yet, 
And needing moisture, has a begging air. 
Their wants are not so different from our own, 
But they are far more helpless. What a still 
And broad inviting glass the water spreads, 
With glistening palm-leaves in the dark, cool 

depths ! 
I could almost plunge in just as I am. — 
You, Judith, bring the soap and oil and cloths, 

(Exit Judith.) 
And you, Dabira, loose my hair while I 
Sit on this bench. 

Dabira: — The widow Sara stepped 

In on her way from the court of justice and 
Uncorked at me the bottle of her wrath. 
Her words were like a flying sand-storm. 

Susanna: — What 

Was her complaint? 



SUSANNA 20 

Dabira: — O, a most grievous wrong 

Her husband's brother did her. He has twice 
Refused to take his brother's place, as the Law 
Commands. But she was angriest with the court, 
The elders Simeon and Ichabot. 
For they, instead of hearing out her plea 
Postponed it till to-morrow. 

Susanna: — I should not 

Much blame them, poor old men. This weather 

must 
Fatigue them most severely. 

Dabira; — All the plaints 

Were put off till to-morrow. 

Susanna:— Why, of course: 

They have hurried off to Babylon to beg 
The lives of our young men. It is a deed 
That's worthy of them. 

{Enter Judith with soapy etc) 

Now, my maids, I shall 
Not need you longer. There is nobody here ? 

Dabira: — No, surely no, dear mistress. We have seen 
None enter. At this hour the garden is 
Deserted. 

Susanna: — Well, very well. Do not forget 

To lock the gate as you go out. Come when 
I call. Meanwhile, prepare the house against 
The coming of your master. 
(Exeunt Dabira and Judith, Susanna sits on grass y loosen- 
ing neck of dress.) 

How placid and 
Serene are the woods at noon! I cannot guess 



30 SUSANNA 

Why men should like to live in towns. What street 
Of stones can equal this lush grass ? What court 
Can show the innocent life of this unsought 
White lily ? Shua would give her lustrous eyes 
To dwell in the shadow of the palace. Gems 
And dresses, and glittering parades allure 
Her: me, the quiet pulse-beat of these flow'rs 
Repays for all that feverish tumult. 
(Begins to unlace her sandals). 

Where, 
O where, I wonder, is Jehoiachin ? 
Is he before the king or on his way 
To me ? I fear I vexed him with my fears. 
What a timorous child I am! 

Simeon (whispering): — O ravishing foot! 

lovely golden hair! What shall we do 
If she should say us nay ? 

Ichabot: — I've thought of that. 

If she refuse to do our will, let her 
Beware. We'll say we found her dandling a 
Young blood. We'll threaten to take by force 

that which 
She will not give to overruling love. 
We'll persecute her to the bitter end: 
Make her a butt for the painted fingers of 
The dirtiest harlot, and a loathsome sight 
To Jehoiachin. 

Simeon : — Ah ! poor Susanna ! Would 

1 had never seen your face! O, why must I 
To my long-waiting grave in most abhorred 
Wrong-doing totter down? I wish we were 
Well out of this nasty business, Ichabot. 



SUSANNA 31 

If things should go against us, Ichabot; 

If any of the servants should come in; 

If Jehoiachin should catch us as we are : 

O, think, dear Ichabot, of our awful fate ! 

'Tis wonderful how my blood has chilled ! I could 

Depart and never tempt her more. Is there 

No way of escape ? 

Ichabot: — Do you know, dear Simeon, 

You're talking nonsense? No escape! Is't we 
Should contemplate escape? No, 'tis not we. 
Besides, the gate is locked; the servant has 
The key, and if we wait, who will guard us from 
Their glance ? You're frightened, Simeon. For 

shame 1 
"You're blood is chilled," you say. Will your 

blood be chilled 
When you see Susanna bathe ? 

Susanna {starts and rises) : — My God ! I thought 

I heard the bushes rustle. (Listens.) 

No. 'Twas naught. 
It was the snapping of a twig. 

(Puts her hand to her bosom.) 

I am 
So frightened! I should die if anyone 
Were here. I wish my maids would come. How 

if — ? 
But no. The gate is locked. Dabira has 
The key. If I should call ? They are about 
The house. My voice would not be heard. I'm 

all 
Of a tremble. No, I will not bathe. 



32 SUSANNA 

ICHABOT (whispering): — Let us 

Approach her now. 

Simeon: — No, no, not yet. 

Ichabot: — We must, or else 

She will take fright. Go speak to her: and I 
Will follow close behind. 

Simeon: — No, no, dear friend. 

I'll follow. Do you speak. The Lord forbid 
That I should steal the birthright of your years. 

Ichabot: — You are a coward, Simeon. You are — . 

Susanna: — My God! My God! I hear men's voices. 
{Sees Ichabot coming and puts hand over her face.) 

O, 
My God! My God! 

Ichabot : — Susanna, be not afraid. 

'Tis I. 'Tis Ichabot. 

Susanna:— My God! My God! 

Ichabot:— Dear lady, lift your head. 'Tis only I. 
'Tis Ichabot. 

Susanna: — O, elder, leave me: leave 

Me, or I die. How came you here? Are you 

not 
In Babylon? 

Simeon (approaching) : — What is't you say so low 
And earnestly ? If you have secret plans, 
I would be of them. 

Susanna: — Simeon! How glad 

I am to see you, reverend elder! I 



SUSANNA 33 

Beseech you, elders, leave me. I am faint. 
Do me no shame, dear elders. On my knees 
I beg. I grovel at your feet. 

Simeon (goes to raise her) : — Nay, we 

Mean you no harm, Susanna. 

Susanna (draws back): — Off, keep off! 

No, no, keep off. I stifle. O my God! 
My God! 
(Sobs. — Sits on grass with jace on knees.) 

Ichabot: — Susanna, listen. We would speak 

With you. Are we so vile you will not look 
At us? Nay, lift your darling eyes to our 
Unsatiated gaze. Why should I hide 
Things ? Have I done a crime ? If loving you 
Is a crime, then I am the greatest criminal 
On earth. May not a judge and elder love? 
If any is to blame, it is not I. 
Have I not kept for these last several years 
The raging fire that wastes me from the light 
Of day? When have I said a single word 
To wound your delicate ears? Have you been 

warned 
By me that I was dying in the sight 
Of you? that your lips opened but to pierce 
Me with a poisoned dart? that the le?.st touch 
Of your silken garment sent a fever in 
Me ? that the criminal before me donned 
A maddening mask of you? that each dry writ 
And leg^l parchment read Susanna? Yet 
Have I not ceased to strive against your sweet 
And fatal influence. But what avails 
It? 'Tis more strong than I, 



34 SUSANNA 

Simeon: — Yes, 'tis more strong 

Than we, Susanna. Pity us. Think of 
Us kindly. That which God has made of us, 
If 'tis to punish us, — though why, I know 
Not : but his ways are dark, — can we avert 
His sentence? Speak, O speak, Susanna. Lay 
Your soft white hand upon us: make us whole. — 
What ! Not a word ? A breath ? No moving of 
Those rosy lips ? 

Susanna {^noaning): — O leave me, leave me, le:ive 
Me! 

Ichabot: — Leave you? No. Attend, Susanna: we 
Will tell our mind. We hither came with kind 
Intentions toward you. Had you only shown 
The slightest sympathy with our great pain. 
Or hinted that we are not wholly scorned. 
Or held out any hope, we should have gone 
With blessings in our hearts. But now we will 
Not rest content without the most complete 
Requital of our love. Say, will you do 
Our will ? — No answer ? — Yet once more : take 

thought 
Susanna, how you answer us. Know, too, 
That silence is an answer. Will you do 
Our will? 

Simeon: — O answer, answer. It will be 
A secret locked forever in our breasts. 

Ichabot : — You will not answer. Listen, then. Think you 
That having once resolved upon our course 
We will be brooked ? There is no firmer hold 
Than old men's constancy. The plan that we 
Have forged is like a net: there is no way 



SUSANNA 35 

To freedom but by quiet yielding. This 

Is our intention: Simeon and I, 

The two most honored elders of our race, 

Whose word no man — nor woman — dare dispute, 

Reposing in the heat of noon beneath 

The palms in the farther corner of our lord 

Jehoiachin's cool garden, soon became 

Aware of merry voices, half-subdued, 

And recognized that of Susanna. We, 

Lest we should be intruding, rose, and walked 

Among the trees; and through the branches saw 

Susanna, and with her — a youth ! 

Susanna: — My God 

My God! Have you no pity on me? 

Ichabot: — They 

Struck horror to my soul. O base, ignoble deed! 
The chaste Susanna, queen of Israel, 
Reclined upon the grass, her hair let loose. 
And in her milky arms was straining tight 
A fondling youth. — Susanna, will you do 
Our will ? 

Susanna: — No. 

Ichabot : — Here is a pretty picture to 

Reflect upon. It will be handed down 
In Baruch's records as "The trial of 
Susanna, famed for chastity." In her 
Own house, allotted to Jehoiachin 
By the great king of Babylon, a court 
Was held by the elders to decide the case 
Against Susanna at the instance of 
The two respected judges, Simeon 



36 SUSANNA 

And Ichabot. She stood, with down-cast face, 
A white-robed figure of Purity, while from 
Her shrunk all honest people, some with head 
Averted, some with pointing index; here, 
A mother with her sucking child, her eyes 
Enwrapped in the corner of her kerchief; there. 
His garments rending for his faithless spouse, 
Jehoiachin. 

Susanna: — My husband! O, my God! 

Ichabot: — We are not through, Susanna. We have more 
To tell you. Shall we spread this ugly tale 
For nothing ? Shall we leave you free to vaunt 
Your immaculate chastity to your unsoiled, 
Smooth conscience ? First, we mean to take from 

you 
By strength, what you will get no credit for, 
Though having it, — therefore, a worthless good, 
And not a good at all, — and then betray 
You to the public scorn and bitter death. — 
Will you do our will, Susanna? Think before 
You speak. So doing, you shall save your life. 
Your happiness, and your good name. — Will you 

do 
Our will ? 

Susanna (on her knees): — 

Just God who rul'st the universe: 

O, Thou Who hast exalted Israel 

From low estate, and chastened her arrogance. 

Look down upon Thy handmdd that has served 

Thee in a meek and loving spirit. Save, 

O save me, Lord, from these, mine enemies. 

Lo, I am straitened sore on everv side : 



SUSANNA 37 

For if I do this thing — the very thought 
Is death — I die : and since I will not, I 
Lose life and honor at these old men's hands. 
O Everlasting God, slay me, I pray, 
Or, if not, send me aid, though death come too ! 

Simeon: — Haste, Ichabot. Delay not. She will curse 

Us yet. 

Ichabot ; (grasping her) : — You must, Susanna, must. 
Simeon ^ ^^ r o y 

Susanna (struggling) : — O God ! 

Unhand me! Help! Dabira! Judith! Help! 



38 SUSANNA 

Scene 2. 

(Between house and garden.) 

Dabira: Judith. 

Dabira : — Did you not hear a scream ? I thought I heard 
A cry for help. I am so startled. Was 
It not a cry for help ? 

Judith: — Yes, yes. I'm sure 

It was a cry for help. Where came it from ? 
It seemed to me — . 

Dabira: — Quick! Hark! — No, not again. 

I must have been deceived. 

Judith: — In the garden there: 

'Twas in the garden, there. 

Dabira: — Run for the key. 

Run! Run! and call the men. Let them at once 
Come hither. (Exit Judith). 

O my mistress, O what has 
Befallen you? My poor, dear mistress! Are 
You in a faint? That cannot be. It was 
A cry of fear. (Pounds on gate). 

Have courage, mistress, we 
Are coming — coming. Cour3,gel (Turns round.) 

Hurry! Quick! 
O Abed, Enoch, Absalom, quick, quick! 
(Enter Judith^ Abed, Absalom.) 

Absalom: — Where? Where? What is it? Where? 

Abed: — Who's hurt? 

Tell me who's hurt. Quick! Judith, give the key. 



SUSANNA 39 

Absalom: — Hark, Abed. If it be marauders? If 
It be armed 'men? 

Dabira {snatching key) : — O cowards ! Cowards ! Let 

Me have a club! You cowards! Cowards! While 
You hesitate our mistress may be dead! 

Absalom {snatching key) : — 

Who is a coward? Hand the key! 
{Opens gate, and all rush in.) 

All: — We come, 

mistress! Courage! 

{They meet, at edge oj the trees, near gate, Simeon and Icha- 
. bot, who hold Susanna between them.) 

What! You, Simeon! 
You, Ichabot! 

Dabira: — You elders! You! What do 

You here ? Why is't you hold my mistress ? Why 
Is she so deathly pale? What have you done 
To her? Speak! How do you come here at this 
High hour of noon? 

The Rest : — Speak, elders, speak. What is 

The matter? O, dear mistress, speak! 

Ichabot: — You see 

Us in the garden of Jehoiachin ? 
You will stand oath to that ? 

Dabira: — What mean you, sirs? 

1 fear there is some deviltry in this. 

Ichabot: — You will stand oath to that? 

Abed : — Yes, yes. But what — ? 



40 SUSANNA 

Ichabot: — This is Susanna, is it not? 

Judith: — Yes, yes, 

But what—? 

Ichabot: — We have her clasped between us. Will 
You swear to that ? 

Absalom: — Yes, yes. But what — ? 

Simeon: — Clasped like 

A prisoner, is it not? You'll swear to that? 

Dabira: — Yes, like a prisoner: like a shiv'ring bird 
In the cruel fowler's net; like a poor mute 
Gazelle beseeching with her frightened eyes 
Her iron murderers. Yes, we will swear 
To that. 

Ichabot: — 'Tis well. Now take her home. You'll hear 
From us ere long. 



SUSANNA 41 

Scene 3. 

{Susanna's room. Susanna, on divan: Dabira, kneeling.) 

Dabira: — O, my dear mistress, not 

One little word? One little, little word 
To old Dabira, who has loved and loves 
You so? One solitary word? I shall 
Go mad. O dearest mistress, ease my dread 
Anxiety. You look so sad, forlorn, 
And white. That I should live to see the day 
Wherein my darling mistress, more beloved 
Than child of my own flesh, should keep her fears. 
Her woes from me ! O speak, my child, O speak ! 
Just whisper in my ear. One tiny word. 
Let not your heart in silence break! 

Susanna {in dying voice): — You are 

Too kind to me, Dabira, You are true. 
I feel it in your soft caress. O, lay 
Your cool brown hand upon my burning brow.^ — 
Is my lord returned? 

Dabira: — Not yet, dear mistress. 

Susanna: — If 

He come, tell him that I am ill. Tell him 
I cannot see him now. No, no, I could 
Not bear to see him now. Dabira, will 
You meet him with the story of this day's 
Occurrences ? 

Dabira: — Unless you wish it, no. 

Susanna :— No— . Yes—. No—. He will be fatigued 
and hot, 



42 SUSANNA 

And — maybe — irritable. One rude word, 
However kindly meant, would kill me. No, 
Let him be rested. Tell him all is well. 
Say I am well, but weary. 

Dabira: — Judith will 

Go call my lord Hilkiah, and the one 
You may confide in, since you will not trust 
Your faithful servant — Lady Anna, your 
Dear mother. 

Susanna: — Yes, Dabira, bid them come. 

Do not alarm them. 

Dabira: — Judith, pray my lord 

Hilkiah and the Lady Anna bend 
Their gracious steps this way. {Exit Judith.) 



SUSA^[.NA 43 

Scene 4. 

(Room in J ehoiachhv' s house.) 

Susanna: — then, Hilkiah and Anna. 

Susanna: — What shall 

I do? How shall I have the strength to greet 
Their unsuspecting salutations? Will 
They question me ? O God, what will they think ? 
What will they, will they think? O, fortify 
Me, God! I am so weary, weary of 
This horrid life. But I must die. O Death, 
I always figured thee a darker sort 
Of angel; yet an angel. What a grim 
And hideous aspect hast thou now! O Death, 
Crowned black with infamy! O infamy! 
Keep off from me thy sharpened claws. How 

hard 
It is to die! O God, how hard is it 
To die, remembering former happiness! 
{Enter Hilkiah and Anna.) 

Hilkiah (kisses her) : — 

God keep you, daughter. You have sent for us 
And we have come, more as a pleasure than 
Because we're bidden. 

Susanna (kissing him, eagerly): — Father! Dear beloved, 
And loving father! (Runs her hand through his hair) 

How your silk becomes 
You! 

Anna (kissing her and taking her hands) : — 
Child, God bless vou. 



44 SUSANNA 

Hilkiah: — Not, my daughter, to 

Detract from the joy the sight of your sweet fac^ 
Affords us, may I ask if good my lord 
Jehoiachin, the king of Juda, and 
Our worthy son-in-law, is yet returned ? 

Susanna : — Dear father, no, he's still away. 

Hilkiah: — Aye, so? 

'Tis said he has a regal influence 
At Babylon. If aught can save the youths, 
'Tis he. I love him. You are favored more, 
My daughter than befalls most maidens. What 
A happy lot is yours, Susanna! 

Susanna : — Yes, 

yes, dear father, I am happy. 

Anna {taking Susanna's hands) : — Tell 

Us all, my child. 

Susanna: — Why mother, what do you mean? 

1 do not understand. What all am I 
To tell, dear mother? Why, what all? 

Anna:— Nay, child, 

You think to blind me. Have I eyes or not ? 
Your father is a bat in daylight when 
He strikes against a borrowed dignity 
His childish pride : — it dazes him. 

Hilkiah: — Nay, nay. 

Dear wife, you misinterpret me. 

Anna: — But I, 

I left my vanity in the buried years. 
Your happiness makes up my narrow world. — 



SUSANNA 45 

"What all?" you ask. Your Judith comes to me 
With swollen eyes, and says with quiv'ring lip: 
"My lady prays you bend your gracious steps 
Toward her." "What! Is Susanna ill?" T 

cry. 
"I think — . I do not know — ," supposes, — 

stops — , 
Begins again, and hesitates, looks round 
Uneasily, and runs away. As soon 
As I walk in the yard, the servants drop 
Their guilty eyes, and separate, and close 
Their plotting mouths. You, child, are hot and 

cold 
By turns: your hand is trembling like a leaf. 
Nay, dearest, lay your head upon my breast, 
And tell me all. 

Susanna: — O, mother! 

Hilkiah: — What! What's this? 

Susanna weeping? Anna, wife, do you see? 
Susanna's weeping! Why, my child, I am 
Amazed! 

Anna: — Hilkiah, will you take a turn 

In the court ? There are some things that daugh- 
ters tell 
To their mothers only. 

Hilkiah: — Israel's queen, — my child, — 

Is weeping! (Exit.) 

Anna: — Dear, come sit on the divan. 

Now tell me all. 

Susanna: — O, how shall I begin? 

It is most fearful. O, it is — Nay, do 



46 SUSANNA 

Not shake your head. 'Twould blast 
Your ears. O, take a long, long look at me. 
My days, alas, are numbered. 

Anna: — How you talk! 

You seem as if your best possession had 
Been taken from you. I remember you 
Were nervous and upset ere Rahel came. 

Susanna: — No, no, dear mother, 'tis not that. No, no, 
It is not that. 

Anna: — Then what is it, dear child? 

You put me out of patience. — Nay, dear heart. 
Don't look at me so piteously. I was 
x\brupt. Forgive me. Speak, my child. You fill 
Me with vague fears. 

Susanna: — I must compel myself. — 

Dear mother, listen: Simeon — . 

Anna: — Well, what 

Of him? 

Susanna: — And Ichabot. 

Anna: — Thev are srood men. 

I've known them long. 

Susanna: — They met me in 

The garden. 

Anna : — There's no harm in that, is there ? 

The garden's free to them. 

Susanna: — I — I — was at 

The bath. 



SUSANNA 47 

Anna: — Ah! is it that? 'Tis that which grieves 
You? 'Tis vexatious. I am sorry for't. 
I wish it had not happened. Still, they are 
Most reverend elders. It will rest with them. 
Yes, yes, I'm sure they'll bear themselves in kind 
And honorable style. — (doubtjully) H'm. Simeon — . 
I fear — . You should have closed the gate. 

Susanna: — The gate 

Was locked. 

Anna: — Was locked? I do not grasp — . 

Susanna: — They came 

And threatened me. They tried to force me to 
Their will. They made most vile proposals : told 
Me they would say they had seen me with a youth ; 
Would brand me as a harlot — . 

Anna: — O just God! 

What do I hear? 

Susanna: — And then they seized me, but 

I screamed, and the servants came. 

Anna: — My temples burst! 

O God! such villainy! 

{Enter Dahira). 

Dabira: — My lord's returned. 

He asks for you, dear mistress. 

Susanna: — Tell him — tell — . 

Anna: — We wait his lordship's pleasure. — Courage, child. 
{Enter Jehoiachin: does not see Anna at first.) 



48 SUSANNA 

Jehoiachin : — Ah ! here at least, at home, I find repose. 
My darling wife! God bless you! 
{Tries to kiss her.) 

What! you shrink 
From me? Why, — (kisses her) — what a marble 
brow! 

Anna: — Here is 

One warmer. Our poor child is ill. 

Jehoiachin: — I did 

Not see you, mother. Is she ill, indeed ? 

Anna : — You sigh as if all were not well. The youths, 
Could you not help them ? They were noble lads, 
As I remember them. 

Jehoiachin: — Alas, alas, 

For our down-trodden race. The king was short 
And obdurate. It did not please him to 
Inquire our likings. He was satisfied 
With the report the priests had laid before 
Him. If he wished an image worshipped, we 
His subjects, must obey. The youths had been 
Unmindful of his dignity and of 
The favor he had shown them. Hence, they must 
Be taught. 

Anna: — Alas, poor lads. 

Jehoiachin: — You're pale as ash, 

Susanna. Tell me, dear, what troubles you. 
(Susanna tries to answer, and bursts into tears.) 

Anna: — It is the heat, poor dear. We'll see to her. 
(Exeunt Anna and Susanna.) 



SUSANNA 49 

Jehoiachin: — If I knew not that she'd been ailing, I 
Should fear some mystery, behind this strange 
Outburst of tears. — Alas, O Israel, 
Jehovah hath not ceased to punish thee. 
O God, have pity on Thy chosen race. 



Act IV. Scene i . 

{Court oj Justice.) 

Simeon: Ichabot: Aaron: Gedaliah: Naphtali: Sara: — 

OTHERS. 

Aaron: — You say your name is Sara? 

Sara: — That's the name 

I'm known by, given by my father, though 
My mother wished me called Rebecca, for — . 

Gedaliah: — What is your plaint? 

Sara: — I came here yesterday, 

And yet again to-day, because I was 
Dismissed without a hearing, yes, without 
A single word by the elders, but I bear 
No grudge, and hope you'll give me justice, since 
I am a poor, lone woman — . 

Naphtali : — To the point, 

And quickly: speak. 

Sara : — I will, if you will let 

Me, righteous judges: I was just about 
To say that I shall tell you what — O, pray. 
Most reverend elders, do not turn me off: 
Be not impatient. I will lay before 
You what my grievance is. I had a man; 
He was a man of men — . No, no: I have 
A brother-in-law; he treats me shamefully. 
Would you believe it, judges, when he knew 



SUSANNA 51 

My husband long within the ground, did he 
Not hide from me for weeks, though I tried all 
I could do that he might fulfil the Law 
By me, as is commanded? Finally, 
I caught him slinking in his sister's house 
One evening, and I spoke my mind to him, 
And begged him do the right by me, but he 
Reproached me; said that I was old, that I 
Was over forty — Heavens, what a base 
Calumniation ! — and that he with joy 
Surrendered all his claim on me, nay, would 
Bestow a little money on the stranger who 
Should take me. Now, alas, what shall I do? 
I know no stranger who — I mean — in short, 
I pray you summon Reuben: threaten him: 
Tell him the Law: that he must have me. 

Aaron: — Go 

To him again. You have our warrant. If 

He shall persist in his refusal, say 

That he must come before us, so the Law 

Shall be performed, which reads: "Then shall 

they stand 
Before the elders, and his brother's wife 
Shall loose the shoe from off his foot, and spit 
Upon his face, and say: 'Thus shall be done 
Unto that man that will not help build up 
His brother's house:' and from this day his name 
In Israel shall be 'the house of him 
That hath his shoe loosed. ' " Such is our 
decree. 
(Simeon and Ichabol step dowm jrom judges^ bench and stand 
in pleaders^ place.) 



52 SUSANNA 

Ichabot: — Beloved colleagues, worthy judges, and 
Most reverend elders, Simeon and I, 
With highest faith in your well-won renown, 
With admiration for your spotless truth, 
And sympathy in your endeavors to 
Preserve the primal whiteness of our folk, 
For which our greatest legislator worked. 
He, too, who died on Nebo, Moses, and 
Let fall on Israel's elders, and on you 
His wondrous mantle — we have prayed your kind 
Attendance, that, as duty to our race 
And to ourselves — O hard necessity ! — 
So forces us, we might appear before 
You, plaintiffs, much against our will in a 
Most horrid and astounding case. We beg 
You summon to your stern tribunal here, 
Susanna, wife of our most honored lord, 
Jehoiachin. 

1ST man:— Susanna! What! He said 

Susanna? 

2ND. man: — Neighbor, did you hear? Did he 

Not say Susanna must be haled before 
The court ? 

Woman: — Susanna? What means this? The chaste 

And innocent Susanna? Here? She, here? 

2ND man : — They say that something terrible took place 
While we were in the city. 

Woman:— It cannot be 

That she did harm. — Susanna! 



SUSANNA 53 

Aaron : - Silence ! Will 

You not be still, you rabble ? — This is not 
A jest, friend Ichabot ? 

Ichabot: — It is no jest. 

Simeon: — O, would it were a jest! 

Aaron : — Then give the cause 

And reason of your quest. We must know why 
We act. 

Ichabot: — You shall know that when she is here. 

Gedaliah: — Nay, we must have a fitting pretext and 
A just and full authority if we 
Would lay a public censure on such high, 
Distinguished heads. It is a serious 
Affair. 

Simeon: — And so is this. 

Ichabot: — We, elders, are 

Your colleagues and have read with diligence 
The Law that we dispense. We hold ourselves 
Responsible for what we do. 

Aaron: — Do you 

Insist upon't ? 

Ichabot and Simeon: — We do insist upon't. 

Aaron {to two bailiffs) : — 

Then go command Susanna hither: 'tis 
Our will. 



54 SUSANNA 

Scene 2. 
(Courtyard.) 
{The hailijjs) Shallum and Ishuah, Dabira. 
Shallum: — Where is your mistress? 

Dabira: — Peace be with 

You, Shallum, and with you, good Ishuah. 
What's at the court to-day? 

Ishuah: — Your mistress, where 

Is she? We have a word to say to her. 

Dabira: — Susanna ? 

Shallum: — Yes. 

Dabira: — She is not well. I'll give 



Your message to her. 



t>' 



Shallum : — We must speak to her 

Alone. Tell her that it is urgent. 

Dabira: — I 

Repeat, she is not well. 'Tis without doubt 
Some unimportant thing: some woman seeks 
Her intervention, maybe. She can see 
Nobody now. 

Ishuah: — She will see us. Do not 

Delay us: 'tis the judges' will. 

Dabira: — How? What? 

The judges' will? 

Sitallum: — Precisely. Now, my dear. 

Make haste. 





SUSANNA 


Dabira: — 


You cannot see her. 


ISHUAH : — 


But we must. 



55 



Dabira: — It is impossible. Another time 

Will do as well. Make our excuses to 
The elders. Let them know that she is ill. 
She cannot be disturbed. 

Shallum : — I say we wish 

To see your mistress, do you hear? Go tell 
Her we will brook no putting off. 

Dabira:— You act 

High-handed, sirs. Do you know of whom you 

speak ? 
We have, indeed, come to a pretty pass 
When mean bumbailiffs raise their prison- throats 
To threaten Israel's queen. — Ho, Judith, call 
Our master. — He will hear you out. 
{Enter Jehoiachin.) 

My lord, 
These persons wish an audience with you. (Exit.) 

Jehoiachin: — You are the beadles ? 

Shallum: — The humble servants of 

My lord. 

Jehoiachin: — What is your want? 

Shallum : — My lord well knows 

We can but do as we are bid. We have 
Been sent — I fear my lord will blame us — . 

Jehoiachin : — Speak 

Right out. I like not sneaking ways. 



56 SUSANNA 

Shallum: — Yet if 

This anger you, my lord — . 

Jehoiachin: — You are not far 

From insolence, my man. Say what you have 
To say, and then begone. 

Shallum: — The judges have 

Dispatched us to bring to court — I fear to speak — 
The Lady Susanna. 

Jehoiachin : — What ! What trifling is 

This, knaves ? Who dares to summon Susanna so 
Unceremoniously ? 

Ishuah: — The judges bade 

Us go. 'Twas at the instance of two of 
Them — Simeon and Ichabot. 

Jehoiachin: — It is 

Most strange. They are my friends. They 

should have known 
To treat with me. What can they want of her? 
The house is filled with mystery since my 
Return. Can anything have happened in 
Broad day, on yesterday ? — {to bailifjs) You 
follow me. 



SUSA^NNA 57 

Scene 3. 

{Court.) As before: Jehoiachin. 

Jehoiachin: — Respected elders, what is this I hear? 
You send your bailiffs to my house, and say 
My wife Susanna must appear before 
You. What is the ground of your demand? 

There is 
No thought of my position in the way 
You execute your plans. 

Aaron : — We pray your grace, 

My lord: it is at elder Simeon's 
And Ichabot's solicitation. 

Ichabot: — We 

My Lord Jehoiachin, in acting thus, 

Have been impelled by no ignoble sense 

Of frowardness, but by the holiest 

Of bonds : our duty and unchanging love 

For David's line and you, its highest, best, 

Most kingly representative. We have 

Good cause for gratitude toward you, and we 

Will not forget it by allowing you 

To be most shamefully deceived, betrayed. 

And laughed at in the inner sanctum of 

Your home. Would it not be the grossest lack 

Of faith to throw a veil between a friend 

And his most vile undoing, so that he 

Shall be unwitting of the crime, his shame, 

And the whisp'ring, sneering world behind ? 

Could we 
Again break bread at that man's table while 



58 , SUSANNA 

We knew that someone at his elbow mocked 
And made a sport of him ? Could we — ? 

Jehoiachin: — My God, 

You drive me mad! What do you mean? What 

say 
Your foul insinuations ? Speak. I'll have 
It out of you. — O, Ichabot, I am 
Unnerved. — You sent for Susanna, judges ? She 
Shall come. (Exit.) 



SUSANNA 59 

Scene 4. 
(Susanna's Room.) Jehoiachin: Susanna. 
Jehoiachin: — Susanna, come. 

Susanna: — My God, you take 

My strength from me. You look so black, so fierce, 
My husband. 

Jehoiachin:— Come. 

Susanna: — O, I am faint. Your eyes, 

Your cruel eyes have killed me! Do not stare 
At me so wildly, dear. O, I have done 
No harm. O, mercy, husband, lord! (jails at 
his feet.) 

My God! 
My God! 

Jehoiachin : — Susanna, come with me. 

Susanna: — O where 

Is it you lead me, dearest husband? Wait. 
I'll tell you all. I am not guilty; no. 
My God, you know I am not guilty. Wait, 
Jehoiachin, dear husband : hear me swear 
By all I hold most dear and precious, I 
Am guiltless. O, I am not guilty. 

Jehoiachin: — Who 

Said "guilty"? Guilty for what? I know no 

guilt — 
At present. Come. 



6o SUSANNA 

Scene 5. 

{Courtyard). Anna: Dabira: Judith. 

Anna : — Dabira, Judith, where 

Is Susanna? O, I've heard appalling news! 
They say the bailiffs came to drag her by 
Sheer force. They say the elders Simeon 
And Ichabot — the aged villains — have 
A dreadful tale to tell: the listeners 
Stood all aghast at their significant 
Insinuations. My brave-hearted child, 
The Lord has put a heavy burden on 
You, and the end is in His hands. 

Judith:— If our 

Dear Lady come to ill, then master, too. 
Will have a share. His countenance was like 
A wounded lion's as he crossed the yard. 

Anna : — Say, where is he ? It was on his account 
I came in such a hurry. O, if he 
Has learned the charge — the wicked blasphemy ! 
I fear for both. Quick, where is he? 

Dabira: — He went 

With our dear, drooping mistress to the court. 

O, lady Anna, tell me what is this 

Dread mystery. My queen is in the jaws 

Of death, perhaps, and I am powerless 

To aid her. I beseech you, lady, let 

Me know, that I may help. 

Anna: — Not now, my dear. 

It is too horrid and too long. God bless 
You for your loyalty. Yet you may be 



SUSANNA 6i 

Of use; go, you and Judith and the rest, 
And call together all our friends, those who 
Were with Susanna yesterday, and those 
Who may be powerful in speech. Be quick. 



62 SUSANNA 

Scene 6. 

{Court,) As PREVIOUSLY. Susanna: Dabira: Anna: 

Judith. 

Ichabot: — That which we are about to do demands 
A warning word, O judges. There will be 
Ascribed to us by the thoughtless, giddy crowd, 
False motives, hidden hatred, and what not, — 
As is to be expected. Our entire lives. 
Replete with sanctity and honest deeds. 
Will, in the heated moment, be forgot. 
'Twill be forgot that Simeon and I, 
Most hoary of the elders, have with sweat 
Of intellect safeguarded steadfastly 
The holy Laws and rites of Israel: 
Have given up our gentler feelings to 
The single purpose of our painful task 
Of vigilance for God's commands: have been 
The faithful, fasting shepherds of our flock. 
All this will be forgot : yet are we strong 
In our most sacred duty. What we say 
Will stupefy you as it has stunned us. 
Have we not pondered, Simeon, if we 
Should loose the monstrous crime upon the world 
Or let it silent gnaw our guilty hearts? 
Alas, we have not long to live. A year 
Or two can matter little — more or less. 
We might have had a year or more of peace 
Among our neighbors. 

Simeon : — As you know full well, 

O judges, we are not the ones to bring 
A vain disgrace upon our tribe. Against 
Such imputation stands our record. We 



SUSANNA 63 

Rely for credence on our former deeds. 
When, on that fateful day, the passes of 
Jerusalem — O Holy place! — were filled 
With mailed Chaldean cohorts, and the sun 
Was gleaming on the thirsting swords and spears 
And lifted battle-axes, and the foe 
Had vowed our full destruction, were not we 
The foremost envoys to the hostile king, 
And bought you off with eloquence on no 
Ignoble terms ? And later, when our lord 
Jehoiachin — I do him reverence — 
Was languishing in prison, whose appeals 
Were weightier than ours ? And later, who 
Instilled a love for the arts of peace with most 
Persistency, and made our youth more sought 
For than Chaldean seers, magicians, and 
Astrologers? Was it not we? Nay, think 
Not we are boasting. This is not the place 
For trumpets. What we have recounted is 
Not futile vaunting. 'Tis that you may know 
We labor here for Israel. All, all 
We do is for beloved Israel. 

Ichabot: — We hasten to affright your ears. We pray 
You, judges, bid Susanna, wife of lord 
Jehoiachin, approach. 

Aaron: — Approach, we say, 

Susanna, wife of Lord Jehoiachin. 

Susanna:— O, hold me, husband, or I fall. My knees 
Sink under me. I cannot stand. O, I 
Am wearied unto death! O God, destroy 
Me where I am ! 



64 SUSANNA 

Jehoiachin: — Dabira, here: bear up 

Your mistress. — (Advancing.) Hark, you elders! 

Have a care 
To what you say. Remember whom you deal 
With: she is queen of Juda, and my wife. 

Ichabot: — There is a law in Israel that reads: 
"Whoso shall falsely swear against a child 
Of God shall suffer that which he meant for 
His victim.' ' If we give false witness, then 
Our punishment is — Death. 

Aaron: — Such is the Law.— 

Approach Susanna. 

Jehoiachin: — Come. 

Simeon (tearing veil jrom Susanna's jace) : — This veil 
I tear 
From off her face, as is commanded, that 
You all may see Susanna as she is. 

Ichabot and Simeon (laying hands on Susanna'' s head) : — 
We lay our hands upon Susanna's head 
And swear that what we are about to state 
Is solemn truth. 

A^N A (advancing): — 'Tis false! It is a lie, 
A vile malignant lie! O, judges, they, 
They are the criminals. O judges, see 
They do not blind you. 

N APHTALi : — Silence ! Who dares speak 

So rudely, ere the why and wherefore of 
The matter is presented? 'Tis our will that all 
Be hushed while Simeon and Ichabot 
Set forth their case. 



SUSANNA 65 

ICHABOT : — She is the mother of 

Susanna, and her zeal we overlook 
Indulgently. A mother's prejudice 
Is no unlovely sight. Susanna has 
Undoubtedly known how to place herself 
In an unspotted light to Anna: we 
Sincerely trust she may with as much ease 
Establish her fair name before the court. 
But ah! we fear the outcome. 

Jehoiachin: — Ichabot, 

By God and our great friendship, pray, if you 
Have any doubt, or judge you may have been 
Mistaken, cease your prosecution : say 
You are not sure: retract your hasty words, 
And let this thing rest where it is. All this 
Shall be forgotten. 

Aaron: — Yes, dear Ichabot, 

Reflection may turn to a different course 

The stream of your suspicions. Do not bring 

Irreparable woe on Israel. 

Simeon: — Perhaps — 'tis possible — it may be we — . 

Ichabot {quickly) : — 

Alas! I would we had another choice. 

How gladly we'd embrace it! Yet I can 

Interpret in no favorable sense 

That which we saw. If that be false which we 

Consider true, and we be punished for 

Our fatal vision, then let Israel 

At least confess we died in thinking that 

We served her. 

Anna (halj-aloud) : — O, the deep and heartless rogues! 



66 SUSANNA 

Ichabot: — This is our testimony, judges, told 

In simple phrase: our colleague, Simeon, 

And I, fatigued and withered by the heat. 

Walked in the garden of Jehoiachin — 

Which he, with customary kindness, put 

At our disposal, — and sat down beneath 

A palm in the farther corner. Soon, aware 

Of merry voices, half-subdued, — the one 

Was of Susanna, — we arose, lest we 

Should be intruding, and, as we between 

The trees passed onward, through the branches 

saw 
Susanna, and with her — a youth. 

Woman : — The Lord 

Preserve us! I am stricken dumb. I would 
Believe that Heaven fell ere think my ears 
Could hold such horror. 

I ST MAN : — I had scarcely thought 

It possible ! Alas, what a sorry thing 
Is humankind! 

Simeon : — They were enfolded in 

A twining mass of golden tresses and 
Fair milky arms. — Forbid I should tell more 
Of what we saw. 'Twas dreadful! 

Jehoiachin: — God! O God! 

Susanna! O, my God! 

x\nna: — The proofs! The proofs! 

The proofs of what you say! 

Ichabot : — Susanna's maids 

Were there with some men-servants. Let them come 
And testify. 



SUSANNA 67 

Gedaliah: — They're here. The servants of 

Jehoiachin, approach. — What is your name? 

Dabira: — Dabira. 

Gedaliah : — Yours ? 

Absalom : — I'm Absalom. 

Gedaliah : — And yours ? 

Judith : — My name is Judith. 

Gedaliah : — Yours is ? 

Abed: — Abed, lord. 

Naphtali: — You Judith, speak. 

Judith: — Dabira, please you, called 

Me. I was in the house. She heard a cry. 
I heard it too. It came from the garden. I 
Ran back to get the key and fetch the men. 
We shouted to our mistress to be brave. 
We rushed inside, and met those two. 
They held my mistress in their arms. O, it 
Was pitiful. She looked like death. 

Naphtali {to Abed and Absalom): — And you? 

Abed and Absalom: — 

We saw the same. 'Twas terrible. 

Naphtali {to Dabira): — And you? 

Dabira: — I, too, I saw the same, O judges. But 
For me it had a meaning. I, who know 
Susanna in her every mood, who read 
Her as you read the Holy Script, declare 
She looked an injured, innocent, most pure, 
And sainted martyr to her plighted faith. 



68 SUSANNA 

IcHABOT : — You are a loyal servant. Would that each 
In Israel had one such in his house! — 
Yet note, O judges, even she in her 
Commendable zeal cannot gainsay the stern, 
Unhappy facts. 

Dabira: — I know no facts except 

What I saw at the gate. I said no more, and mean 

No more. That which went on before we came, 

You only, and my mistress, when she shall 

Through loathing of the stigma you have put 

Upon her name, in desperation part 

Her burdened lips, — you only can reveal. 

I doubt it will not honor you. 

Anna:— I beg 

Your kind indulgence, judges, that I may, 
iVs best I can, in my poor child's behalf. 
Request an answer from the accusers to 
Some simple questions, which, if they shall lack 
The legal flavor and formality. 
You will, I trust, forgive, since this is my 
First, terrible experience with Law. 

Aaron: — You have permission. Lady Anna. Speak. 

Anna: — How came you in the garden, Simeon, 
While the gate was locked? 

Simeon: — We had been there some time, 

As we have said, ere we heard any noise. 
The grounds, of course, were open to us. 

Anna: — And 

You had no warning of their presence till 
"Aware of merry voices half-subdued"? 





SUSANNA 69 


Ichabot:- 


-No. 


Anna: — 


'Tis most strange. The garden is not large. 


Simeon: — 


- We were at the farther end. 



Ichabot: — We must have dozed. 

The heat was soporific. 

Anna: — O, you must 

Have more than dozed. Dabira says they talked 
In careless tones: and that Susanna called 
Aloud to Judith. Nay, you must have slept. 

Ichabot: — Perhaps we slept. There is no crime in that, 
I hope? 

Anna: — But that you should awake in the nick 

Of time! 

Ichabot : — It may be God awakened us 
To punish what, if foul in anyone, 
Is most abhorrent in fair Juda's queen. 

Anna: — O hypocrites! O blasphemers! Can God 
Endure such taking of His name in vain ? 

Aaron: — Control your tongue, my lady. You are at 
The bar of justice. We may judge; not you. 

Anna: — I — I choke. But no. I will be calm. — Where 
is 
The youth you implicate? Say, where? 

Ichabot : — My lady Anna, do you think we have 
Him in our tunic? Can we hand him to 
You, like an olive? You forget that we, 
Alas, are but old men: gray, weakly men 



70 SUSANNA 

Whom young and insolent scoundrels could twist 

round 
Their little fingers. If we have him not, 
It is because we did not catch him. Nay, 
We could not even see him well, for he, 
Like a young, lusty jackal, whisked away 
At our approach, and leaped the wall. 

Aaron: — You saw 

Him, surely: recognized him? Who is he? 

Ichabot: — Alas! Who is he? Would we knew! I caught 
A flying glimpse of him. He ran so fast, 
The rascal. May be you, dear Simeon, 
Identified him ? 

Simeon: — 'Twas a glance I had of him. 

I think that he was short. 

Ichabot: — No, no. It seemed 

To me that he was tall. 

Simeon : — Had raven hair. 

Ichabot : — A darkish brown. 

Simeon : — I'd know him if I saw 

Him. 

Ichabot: — So should I. 

Aaron: — H'm. — It is odd. — Most odd. 

Gedaliah: — Most odd. 

Naphtali: — Most odd. 

Ichabot: — What, elders, what is odd? 

Is it so odd that we should seek repose 



SUSANNA 71 

In the garden ? That we should hear voices ? That 

We should discover such iniquity? 

Yes, it is odd. But is it odd that we, 

Whose solid name defies corrosion, should 

Attempt to rescue Isrrxl from the fate 

Of Sodom and Gomorrah? Is it odd 

That we should sacrifice our reverence 

For Lord Jehoiachin, £,nd bring upon 

His house unceasing grief? Is it odd 

That we should stand before you, we whose place 

Is at your side, and suffer vile reproach, 

And doubting tones from you ? Tell me, is it 

So odd? 

Aaron: — Nay, Ichabot, you fly at a 

Mere shadow. We by no means question what 
You state. We only wish you might have been 
More quick. 

Simeon: — Ah! woe is us old gray-beards, friends. 

You are old yourselves, and know that swiftness 

flies 
With years, and bodily prowess oozes with 
The sap of youth. Thank God the intellect 
And love for sanctity and virtue are 
Intact. 

Aaron: — Have you aught else to say? 

Ichabot: — We have 

No more to testify, unless it be 
That we, not as accusers, but as friends 
In sorrow, would implore your gentle breasts 
To the utmost clemency. We heartily 
Regret our sad compulsion. 



72 SUSANNA 

Aaron:— What reply 

Have you, Susanna, to the charge? 

Anna:— O, speak. 

My daughter! See, your life and honor hang 
Upon your words. 

Susanna: — What can I say to save 

My name, O judges? What am I to do? 
Have they not woven their monstrous tissue well ? 
If I shall tell my innocence, who will 
Believe me ? Has my husband not, — my chief 
Support, and now my deep despair, — turned 
From me ? I have no more hope except in God. 
When, in the garden, they that would have done 
Me harm, unfolded their unjust designs. 
And prophesied that which they have now wrought, 
I prayed to God to keep my honor and 
There slay me, or to rescue me. He sent 
Me aid. I look to Him for help. My life 
Is in far higher hands than yours. 

Aaron:— My child, 

You start the tears to my long-tearless eyes. 
You have the air of innocence. Do not 
Lose heart. However this shall terminate. 
Be sure Jehovah will breathe in the scale 
Of justice. 

Ichabot: — Yea, eternal truth and virtue, they 

Shall ever triumph. 

Aaron : — Is there any that 

Would speak? 

Nathan: — The crime, if 'twas committed, must 

Receive its punishment. Yet who that knows 



SUSANNA 73 

Susanna and but looks on her can doubt 
Her purity? I prr.y you in the name 
Of Juda's law-abiding citizens, 
Act slowly, and with ripe reflection. 

ZiLPAH : — I 

Have known Susanna from a babe. There is 

No purer soul in Israel. I've wa,tched 

Her grow from lily-child to lily-maid. 

The fcjrest flower in Juda, beautiful 

Within as she is beautiful without: 

A loving, most devoted daughter, wife 

And mother. If you should pronounce her false 

To womanhood, then who of us shall be 

Secure in right? There is some error. Think 

Upon it. Let not haste precipitate 

You, judges, to irrevocable wrong. 

Anna : — I am her mother. I have brought her up 

In the ways of virtue: taught her what her sex 

Should understand: marked out her duties, and 

Bred in her a most lofty sense of feith 

And honor. Never, as all know, has she 

In the slightest failed. Until to-day she stood 

Unchallenged in her purity. The wives 

Of Israel all patterned after her, 

And when a husband wished to scold his mate, 

He said: "Susanna does not thus," or when 

He praised her: "Thus would do Susanna.' ' Now 

O judges, what are we to think ? Shall we 

Decide that she, who held so long her life 

Immaculate, has on a sudden snapped 

The iron chains of habit for a whim, and done 

What is repulsive to her nature and 



74 SUSANNA 

Her training? What! Is conscience such a light 

And fickle thing ? Our race would answer " No!' ' 

Our breeding is a bar to our desires. 

Yet what desires could my Susanna have? 

Is she not queen of Israel and wife 

Of the king of men, Jehoiachin, and graced 

With lovely children? Will you rate her with 

The common wenches, and imagine that 

Susanna, in her triple sanctity, 

Would yield a ready victim to a crude 

And thoughtless passion? O, my judges, — for 

In her you must judge me, — bethink yourselves 

Of your own wives and daughters. Say, would you, 

On evidence like that presented by 

These wanton men convict your child to death ? 

Aaron : — Be sure, my lady, we shall weigh with care 
Each single circumstance and likelihood. — 
If there is nothing else to hear, we will 
Withdraw awhile to ponder well this most ' 
Momentous case. 

Jehoiachin : — I have one favor to 

Request, O judges. 'Tis that if you find 

A sentence adverse to Susanna, you 

Will put the execution of it off 

Till one short hour from sunset. It may be 

That God within that space will send a sign. 

Aaron: — So be it. {Exeunt judges.) 

1ST man {whispering): — How lie your suspicions now, 
Good neighbor ? Do you not admit her guilt ? 

2ND MAN {whispering) : — 

I see no guilt in her. 



SUSANNA 75 

Woman (whispering) : — If innocence 

Should don a human form she'd come as our 
Susanna. — 'Tis a trumped-up trie: a vile 
Deceit to cover their own lusts. Have you 
No eyes for actions ? What ! You never saw 
A criminal ? how abject some are, and 
How bra,zen, others ? how the ones will lick 
The dust from the judges' feet in hope to move 
Them, while the others, in a panoply 
Of righteous indignation, armed at all 
The points, return the accusations with 
A haughty firmness? I would lay my life 
On that dear lady's innocence. Those two 
Old men are the foulest — 

2ND man: — Hush! 

Woman:— I'll tell it—. 

2ND man : — Hush 

(Enter Benjamin and Rahel). 

1ST man: — See, neighbors, see. 

Woman: — O, the pretty dears! The poor, 

Poor little darlings! 

Benjamin: — Where is my mamma? 

You, sir, where is my mother? 

Rahel: — Here she is! 

(dragging at Susannahs skirt.) 
Mammal 

Susanna (catching her and straining her to her breast) : — 
My child! My child! 



76 SUSANNA 

Benjamin: — You are so pale, 

Mamma, and your eyes are red, as if you had 
Been weeping. Come away from this great crowd. 

Susanna: — Alas, my Benjamin, I must not go. 

Benjamin: — O, there's papa. Papa, come home with us. 
Mamma is ill. She must have quiet, as 
I've often heard the servants say. 

Susanna: — My child, 

I shall have ample quiet soon. There is 
A place that's hung with deepest silence. 

Rahel : — Let 

Us go there quickly. I am frightened by 
These people. 

Susanna: — O my children, shall I see 

Your darling faces nevermore ? not feel 
Your satin arms about my neck ? not hear 
Your wondrous prattle? Nevermore? O God, 
That I could only live for them! That I 
Could be immured in some sealed house or cast 
Upon a desert spot, far from the ken 
Of cruel man, to live with them and for 
Them. — But, alas, they would not come. They 

will 
Be poisoned toward me. They will curse me. O, 
My God, to think that they will curse me! It 
Is worse, O far, far worse than death! 
{The children cry.) 

Woman {sobbing): — O, it 

Would melt a heart of stone! 



SUSANNA 7t 

1ST man: — Poor lady! In 

A moment we're unmade. I pity her 
Though she be guilty. 

Susanna: — Go, my loved ones, with 

Dabira. — Benjamin, my darling son. 
My little Benjamin, look at me long: 
Say you'll remember me with kindness. I 
Am innocent, my darling, of the crime 
That they impute to me. O, Benjamin, 
You do believe me, do you not ? O say 
You do believe me. 

Benjamin (sobbing, and throwing himself into her arms) : — 

Mother! Mother! 

Rahel {sobbing) : — O 

Mamma ! 

Dabira: — Come, dearies, come. {Exeunt Dabira and 
children.) 
{Enter judges and seat themselves.) 

Aaron: — This is a most 

Impressive, solemn duty that devolves 
On us: a duty, sad enough and stern 
When occupied with persons of a mean 
Estate. How burdensome is it in this 
Perplexing case! Who are the accusers? Two 
Of Juda's highest names: two elders famed 
For piety and learning: two of our 
Respected colleagues: two untarnished posts 
Of Israel's living temple. Who, the accused? 
The noblest personage of the chosen race 
Except our lord, the king: Susanna, wife 
Of Jehoiachin. What is the crime alleged ? 



7S SUSANNA 

The most abhorrent deed in the list of wrong: 

Aduhery. This surely is a thing 

To give us pause. And yet, if all were plain 

Affirmative and negative, we might, 

Though full of sorrow, render sentence with 

Assurance. Here, however, she who is 

Accused denies the accusation: and 

Her word has always been a symbol of 

The purest truth. But so has that of the 

Accusers, Simeon and Ichabot. 

That one is false, is evident. Shall we 

Suspect the elders? Falsehood is indulged 

In only when 'tis profitable. What 

Advantage would the accusers have thereby? 

Their dearest friend, Jehoiachin, is plunged 

In grief: their race must bear the agony 

Of losing in a day its honored queen 

And those three godly youths in Babylon: 

They stir up enemies both high and low. 

For she is loved throughout the tribes : they bring 

Themselves in ugly prominence. And all 

For what ? For notoriety ? No, not 

For that. For malice? It would scarcely seem 

Presumable that they should choose a plan 

So dangerous. For fear? Aye, it is said — 

By the accused — that they anticipate 

An accusation quite as dreadful and 

More horrible in kind against themselves. 

Such charge we cannot but refuse to dwell 

Upon. It is preposterous. That two 

Old men, in whom the flame of youth is long 

Extinct, should so lose shame as to display 

Their criminal desires, is most unheard 



SUSANNA )9 

Of. ^Tis preposterous. We, therefore, your 
Appointed judges, having one sole course 
Of action left, must give our sentence as 
The Law directs. Read, Naphtali, that which 
Applies herein. 

Naphtali {reads from parchment): — 

''If a man be found lying with a woman 
married to a husband, then they shall both of 
them die, both the man that lay with the woman, 
and the woman: so shalt thou put evil from 
Israel." 

Aaron: — The youth, if he be found, 

Shall die. Susanna, wife of Jehoiachin, 
Shall die. It is our stern decree. 

Susanna (murmuring) : — Shall die : 

Shall die! O God! 

Jehoiachin : — Susanna, come. 

Susanna (falls at his feet : in low voice) : — My God ! 



Act V. Scene i. 

{Room in Jehoiachin^s House.) 

Jehoiachin. 

Jehoiachin: — We are so strangely made. I know not if 
I pity more her shame and suffering, 
Or my own injured feelings. Poor, dear wife! 
My heart is rent for you, and even were 
You what they claim, I should find reasons for 
You. Is it then so hard to justify 
Our uncontrollable passions? Who, so strong 
As to be master of them? They are born 
With us: made part of us, unasked. They rule 
Us at a certain age, in spite of all 
We do. The mind may seem to govern us, 
Yet in a twinkling is the blood inflamed, 
And reason fails to operate. The laws 
Of man, however frightful, never changed 
The first great laws of nature : else, why should 
The prophets be so full of warning ? — What 
Must I now do? Be angry with her? How 
Can I be angry? Has the sudden wrath 
Of youth not left me? I am old and given to 
Reflection. Yes, it would be cowardly 
To hunt her to the grave. The grave, alas! 
The slimy earth, the worms, the putrid airs, 
Must they dismantle your fair frame? No, no. 
My God ! How can I ever sleep again 
To dream of that which was Susanna once? 
You shall not go to death. I need you so, 



SUSANNA 8i 

Susanna. I could nigh forgive you. I 

Do love you, and I cannot hate you. — But 

The people ! Ah ! the people and the Law — 

'Tis they that press me. For myself I am 

Inactive, and would so prefer to be: 

For them I must do something. Something? 

What? 
No, I'll do nothing for their cursed laws. 
I would not have such penalties: they are 
Too barbarous; were made for the savage days 
Of a young race. Besides, is she not, as 
She answered, innocent ? Her looks alone 
Would force conviction: and if not her looks, — 
Her life. Ah! my Susanna, sweetest of 
Companions, shalt thou die, without a word 
Of pardon, shunned, repelled into the grave? 
No, no, my poor, young wife, I love thee not 
So vulgarly. I must support thee through 
This ordeal. 

{Enter Gamliel and Nahiim.) 

Gamliel : — Your humble servant, lord 

Jehoiachin. 

Nahum: — My lord, with you be peace. 

Jehoiachin: — Be welcome, friends. 

Nahum: — We grieve with vou O son 

Of David. 

Jehoiachin: — I thank you kindly. 

Nahum : — I make bold 

To speak. I cm your elder, am I not, 
Jehoiachin ? 

Jehoiachin: — Speak freely, Nahum. 



lb SUSANNA 

Nahum: — We 

Believe Susanna innocent. 

Jehoiachin : — Dear friend, 

I kiss you. O, you know not what a balm 
You carry to my tortured mind. 

Gamliel : — It is 

A plot of Simeon's and Ichabot's. 

Jehoiachin : — Have you the proofs ? 

Nahum: — We have no proofs. We have 

Suspicions only. 

Jehoiachin: — Then, alas, what can 

We do? Facts, solid facts alone will count. 
O, if you help me friends, you will do me 
An unforgettable service, and our race 
A holy kindness. Bend your fruitful mind, 

Nahum, to this sacred task. My own 
Refuses labor. 

Nahum : — GamUel and I, 

Discussing your sad plight, were quick agreed 
That there is knavery beneath. 

Gamliel: — As sure 

As we are born: a wretched trick. What made 
Them shut the court at once, as if they both 
Had got a sudden sunstroke? Could they not 
Have waited? Why were they so eager to 
Depart? I am assured they knew that you 
Were gone, or soon would be. 

Jehoiachin: — What? Why— Perhaps— 

1 never thought of that. 



SUSANNA ^ 

Nahum:— What kept them here? 

If you had heard them you would have beheved 

There was no m?.n in Israel more pained 

At our calamity. You should ha,ve seen 

The heavy sighs they heaved : ''I'll pray to God,' ' 

Quoth Simeon. "If my undoing would ease 

Her yoke one bit, my Hfe is at her call," 

Breathed Ichabot with anguish. Yet, when I 

Insisted that they come: "My head spins like 

A blind, mad midge," said Simeon. "I am," 

Said Ichabot, "a broken reed." I was 

Disgusted, and I felt that something must 

Be doing. Both evaded me like thieves, — 

Or worse. They were not going, — that I'm sure 

Of, — toward the garden. How, then, came they 

there 
So soon? so opportunely? Must they not 
Have doubled, like the foxes? 

Jehoiachin: — Maybe it 

Was chance. 

Nahum : — How chance, Jehoiachin ? Do you 

Defend them ? Will you let your lofty mind 
Be trammeled by the common notions? Why, 
Each man among us who possesses but 
The rudiments of justice, swears there is 
A plot. You know, Jehoiachin, that, just 
As you remain for us the symbol of 
Our high election, so Susanna is 
The symbol of our purity. And we 
Shall fight for her. What evidence is that 
They offer? It is worthless, childish. Why, 
The judges had no right to sentence her 
On stuff so unsubstantial ! The surprise, 



84 SUSANNA 

The haste of the accusers, the details 

Confirmed by witnesses, and the seeming lack 

Of motives hurried them to their decree. 

"Wherefore should elders do this?" That is what 

Decided them. As if old men must of 

Necessity possess a different code 

Of morals, and with colder blood, a set 

Of motives different from youths'! Let us, 

Jehoiachin, — I pray you for 

Your sake, and hers, and ours, to whom she is 

So dear, — let us demand postponement of 

The sentence till the youth be caught. It is 

Your right : and if you won't assert it, it 

Is ours. 

Jehoiachin: — Dear Nahum, you put life in me. 

{Enter Joseph, while Nahum continues. He hows gravely 
to Jehoiachin). 

Nahum: — The scoundrels! Is her word not gold? 

They say " a youth.' ' What youth ? "I think 

that he 
Was short," says one. The other: "No, it seemed 
To me that he was tall." "Had raven hair," 
Conjectures Simeon. "A darkish brown," 
Thinks Ichabot. A youth! A prodigy! 
I'd like to see the youth! 

Joseph {solemnly) : — Well, look upon 

Him. 

Nahum: — What! You, Joseph! 

Gamliel: — You! 

Jehoiachin:— You, Joseph! Why—! 

My God ! — O, Joseph, how you scared me ! I 



SUSANNA 85 

Forgot for a moment — that — you were with me 
At Babylon. 

Joseph {in same tone) : — I am the youth. 

Jehoiachin: — Nay, drop 

The joke, dear Joseph. 'Tis repugnant to 
Me. 

Joseph (in same tone) : — 

I reiterate, I am the youth. 

Jehoiachin: — You're merry, Joseph. We are sad. It is 
Not seemly. 

Joseph: — My dear lord and master, hear 

Me out. I was at Babylon with you: 
Therefore, I was not in the garden. It 
Is proved with ease. But they, old Simeon 
And Ichabot, they do not know: at least, 
I think they know not, — Listen, lord. Do not 
Be angry. Say you'll hearken patiently. 

Jehoiachin: — Speak, Joseph. I am never stem with you. 
Your words are words of wisdom. 

Joseph: — You believe 

That I would do my utmost to preserve 
Your name unsullied? 

Jehoiachin: — Surely, Joseph, yes. 

Joseph: — That what I say has been most carefully 
Deliberated ? 

Jehoiachin : — Yes . 

Joseph: — That I would blight 

My being rather than obscure for one 
Short moment your dear lady's fair repute ? 



86 SUSANNA 

Jehoiachin: — I am on coals, dear Joseph. Quickly tell 
Your plan. 

Nahum: — O noble youth! I see the light! 

Joseph : — You, Gamliel and elder Nahum, are 
My witnesses ? 

Gamliel and Nahum: — Yes, yes. 

Joseph: — Then hear my scheme 

I blush in the unfolding of it. Yet, 
As true as God is o'er us, I intend 
No harm, but only the salvation of 
The purest soul in Israel. I do 
Not stand alone in worship of our queen : 
All that is good among us seconds me. 
And if the worst should happen, I'm afraid 
For Simeon and Ichabot. 

Nahum {approvingly): — I, too. 

Gamliel {approvingly) : — And I. 

Joseph : — Now, if you ask delay, my lord, 

It is quite possible the judges will 
Refuse you, having rendered sentence once, 
And yielded once to your request. Besides, 
They would be loth to lose their influence 
As men inspired by God. And Simeon 
And Ichabot will surely fight against 
The danger to themselves. They will produce 
Fair reasons, till their fabricated youth 
Appear — to stun them. 

Nahum: — 'Tis a thought divine! 

Gamliel: — They may deny that it is he. 



SUSANNA 87 

Joseph: — It is 

Scarce likely. I have questioned those who should 
Have seen the youth — if there had been one. Some 
Were near the garden at the time, yet saw- 
None leave. If Lord Jehoiachin allow 
Me, I will lay my plan before the chief 
Of the judges, Aaron, and bring in the youth 
With witnesses. It is the only way 
To safety. The accusers will betray 
Themselves. Pray, let me be the youth, my lord. 

Jehoiachin : — Dear Joseph, your devotion overwhelms 
Me. — But, no, no. — I cannot give consent. 
There would be dark suspicions afterwards. 

Joseph: — The elders know I was in Babylon. 

Besides, my lord, I am betrothed. I must 
Admit, it is my bride I fight for, too. 
Who can be chaste, if not Susanna? 

Jehoiachin: — She 

Will scorn the expedient. 

Joseph : — She need not know. 

She will, *tis true, be tortured for a space — 
A short, sharp moment. In a moment she 
Will win her life and honor. 

Jehoiachin:— Well — it might — 

I can — I wish — . Well, Joseph, wait awhile. 
I'll speak with Aaron. — No. — Be patient. — Let 
Me think. — O, would Susanna could be saved 
By other means! 



88 SUSANNA 

Nahum : — Come, Joseph, let us to 

Our holy work withdraw. 

Joseph: — Have courage, lord. 

(Exeunt.) 



SUSANNA 89 

Scene 2. 

(Room with window over the Court.) — Susanna. 

(Benjamin and Rahel in the yard). 

Susanna {at window): — 

My life will set with the setting sun: and night 

Will drop its sable mantle on my name. 

These damask hangings and these cedar posts 

Will carry mourning, and the rooms will lie 

In muffled silence. Henceforth I shall be 

A stranger to these soft divans and to 

This furniture. The marble court sh?Jl no 

More feel my steps, nor the shrubs my loving hand 

I am an execration. O, my God! — 

My children, see, they play within the yard 

Oblivious of the world. How joyously 

They talk and laugh and skip ^.bout. They will 

Forget me in a week, a month. They'll miss 

The usual kiss — so little to them and 

To me so much — they'll speak in whispers for 

A day, and cry themselves to sleep. And then, 

A block of wood, a pebble, will absorb 

Them more than I. And finally, they will 

Be taught to hate me. O, my God! my God! — 

And thou, Jehoiachin, what wilt thou do? 

Thou wilt not curse me: no, thou art too great. 

Thou wilt forbid all mention of thy young 

And erring wife, and in thy brooding heart 

Wilt pity her. O God, I can endure 

All else, save only that ; save only that. 

{Enter Dabira). 
What ! Is't my husband ? 



90 SUSANNA 

Dabira: — No, my dear, it is 

My lady Shua. But my lord is working for 
Your rescue, I'm persuaded. Nahum and 
Some others were with him. — I have refused 
Admission to the rest: yet Shua seems 
So piteous and sorrowful that I 
Had not the heart to turn her off. 

Susanna: — Nay, I 

Will see her. — {Exit Dabira). — O, my husband 

still believes 
In me! Great, good, and noble man! 

Shua (rushes on Susanna'' s neck): — Forgive 

Me, dear Susanna. I have need of your 
Forgiveness. O, I have so wronged you! 

Susanna: — Nay, 

Dear Shua, you are suffering. What is 
It, dear? 

Shua: — How can I tell it ? 'Tis — O, it 

Is — very foolish. Think of it. I have 
Been — have been — O, Susanna, I have been 
Long jealous of you. Yes, I have, my dear. 
No, do not look incredulous. I am 
A most remorseful sinner. I cannot 
Let you depart — alas ! it is your plight 
That has awakened better feelings in 
Me, — I cannot support the dreadful thought 
Of parting from you without pardon. I 
Have envied you your high estate, your wealth, 
Your jewels, and your children, and — O, most 
Of all, your beauty and your virtue. I 
Have grudged you these, Susanna. I am vain. 
O, dear Susanna, I am but a child. 



SUSANNA 91 

Forgive me. See how I have confidence 
In your nobility and graciousness. 
O, I should be most happy if I could 
Die martyred for you. It would be so sweet 
To have the future ages Unk my name 
With yours, Susanna. O, my dear, forgive 
Me. Pity me. 

Susanna (embracing her) : — Dear Shua, you possess 
A noble heart beneath your vanity. 
Nay, you must pity me. 

(Enter) Anna: — The Lord be praised, 

My children! How tremendous is the Lord! 

Shua: — Speak quickly, Anna. Is — ? 

Anna: — Alas, not that; 

Not yet. But there is hope. Yea, God has sent 
A sign. The youths are free! 

Susanna: — Are free! 

Shua: — The youths 

Are free! 

Anna: — I was of the first to know it. From 

The city came a man on horse, enwrapt 
In a cloud of dust. ''The youths are free," he 

cried. 
"They have been cast in a burning furnace, and 
They live. They live, and they are pardoned.' ' 

Susanna and Shua: — Praised 

Be God! 

Anna: — Amen, my children. God be praised! 

Susanna: — O, I am full of hopes, my mother. Kiss 

Me, mother, Shua. God has shown His hand. 



9« SU5ANNA 

(Enter) Dabira: — Dear mistress, you are summoned to 
the court. 

Anna: — My God, what caurk^e? 

Susanna: — O, it is my 

Salvation, mother. Come! 



SUSANNA 93 

Scene 3. 

{Court.) 

Judges, etc.: Susanna: Jehoiachin: Shua: Nahum: 
Joseph. 

Jehoiachin: — The moment of 

The execution of your sentence on 
My wife, Susanna, being near, I now 
Have to request, O judges, further grace. 
I pray you wait awhile, until I shall 
Be able — as I have high hopes to be — 
To lay before you testimony that 
Will free my wife from odium. 

Aaron: — What is 

The nature of the evidence? 

Jehoiachin: — I can 

Not tell it now. 

Ichabot : — If you have proofs, my lord. 

We pray you to present them. We will drop 
The matter after sunset. It is too 
Pernicious to our strength. We have endured 
For Israel's honor more than our fair share. 
We Ve done our duty : we are satisfied. 

Aaron: — I do not see, my lord, that we can yield 

To your entreaty. We have set a bound: 
It was a special favor. Within an hour 
Of sunset was the time. 

Jehoiachin: — It is so short, 

O judges. A few hours will surely prove 
Her innocence. You will not wish to put 
To death a guiltless person? Be not hard. 



94 SUSANNA 

Ichabot: — The deeds of God require no dial. Lo, 
He has, as Juda has just seen, displayed 
His awful power. 

Simeon: — If you, my lord, expect 

A miracle, have no concern. Our God 
Is just. 
(A commotion takes place in the corner oj the court). 

Aaron: — What is that noise ? 

Gedaliah: — Ho, silence in 

The court! 

Naphtali: — You rabble, silence! 

Nahum: — Bring this youth 

Before the judges. 

1ST man: — Joseph! 

Anna: — Joseph! 

Aaron:— What 

Do you mean by this proceeding, Nahum? We 
Permit no heedless insolence. We judge. 
Be silent. 

Nahum: — Since what time, O elders, have 

You found me insolent? Like Ichabot 
And Simeon, I do my duty. They, 
As well as you, will thank me soon for my 
Unheeding insolence. I claim the right 
To speak. 'Tis relevant to that you have 
In hand. 

Aaron: — You have permission. 

Nahum : — Elders, look 

At Joseph. Should a guiltless man be so 



SUSANN|A 95 

Confused? He is the favorite of our lord 
Jehoiachin: the comrade of his joys 
And sharer of his table. Let him hide 
His face. I here accuse him as the youth 
Who fled the grasp of Ichabot. 

Woman: — Of all 

Surprises! 

Anna: — Water! quick! My child has swooned! 

It is a lie! a lie! — Susanna! O, 
My daughter! 

Woman: — May the Heavens fall! 

Shua:— No, no, 

It is not true. It cannot be. It is 
Another trap. — You, Nahum, you, I hate 
You. Simeon and Ichabot, I could 
With pleasure stone you. O you foul, foul crew! 

1ST man: — Well, neighbor, did I not say rightly? She 
Is deeper than she looks. It is a shame. 
The milk-white innocent! And she, our queen! 
Fie on her! 

2ND man: — Hold your tongue! You have not seen 
The end of this. 

1ST man: — The harlot! 

Aaron: — Silence! We 

Will now proceed. 

Nahum: — You recognize him, do 

You not, friend Simeon? — A pretty youth! 

Simeon: — Why, I — . O, yes — I — I — I know him. I 
Believe he is the lad. 



g6 SUSANNA 

Ichabot: — H'm. Joseph! Well, 

I thought he looked familiar. Yes, I see 
It now. I'd know that wealthy head, those slim. 
And sloping shoulders an5nvhere. 'Tis he, 
O judges. See, how in the final hour 
Jehovah bears our statements out! Yes, I 
Am sure 'tis he. 'Tis strange I should have been 
Perplexed. 

Simeon: — Yes, it is he. I'd swear to it. 

His stooping baffled me. If it were not 
For the repute in which he stands with lord 
Jehoiachin, we should have laid suspicions on 
Him at the very first. But then they would 
Have said we had a spite. Thank God it came 
Through other hands than ours. Yes, it is he. 

Nahum: — What wall did you say he leaped ? 

Simeon and Ichabot {looking at each other) : — What wall ? 

Nahum: — My witness says it was — . 



Ichabot: — 


Your witness 


It was - 


-? 


Nahum: — 


He says it was — . 


Simeon: — 


It was—? 


Aaron: — 


Aye, which 



One was it Simeon? 

Simeon: — It was — . Why, sure. 

It was the wall on the street. 

Nahum: — On the street? 

Ichabot: — He means 

The one along the field. 



SUSANNA 97 

N AHUM : — Along the field ? 

Simeon: — I — . 

Ichabot: — We — . 

Simeon:— I said—. 

2ND man: — He said! 

Woman : — He said ! Ha ! Ha ! 

He said! 

Ichabot: — You shameless crowd! Will you be still! 
And you, O judges, are you in conspiracy 
Against our word? I say he is the youth. 
I'm sure of it. Will you allow such doubt 
Of your decree? I ask for justice. Put 
An end to this most arrogant impudence. 

Jehoiachin: — Once more, accusers, are you sure? 

Ichabot: — My lord. — 

But no: I scorn to cry against unjust 
Assailants. I repeat that it was he. 

Jehoiachin: — O judges, was such villpJny e'er known? 
Look on your colleague Simeon: see how 
He quakes. The aged knaves! They merit no 
Consideration. — Ichabot, will you 
Confess your treachery ? 

Ichabot: — My lord, I'm at 

A loss to understand you. I have done 
No wrong. Prove what you can : then shall we talk. 
I still insist that Joseph with your wife 
Committed harlotry. 

Jehoiachin : — You are as bold 

A rascal at four-score as any in 



98 SUSANNA 

The prime. We'll cut this matter short. It is 
Disgusting. — Dearest Joseph, speak. 

Joseph: — I pray 

You, elders, pardon the deceit to which 

We have been forced. It was a plan of mine 

Which came to me from Him who is on high. 

As soon as I had heard the danger to 

The honor of our noblest house, I made 

Inquiry of the circumstances, for 

I always had undying faith in her 

Who is the lily of our race. The search 

Revealed to me two facts: that there had been 

No leaping of the garden-wall, — no youth, — 

And that the godly Simeon had once 

Before made known his amorous desires 

To lady Susanna. She through pity, had 

At last consented to be silent. This 

Was told to me by Anna. 

Aaron & Jehoiachin: — Is this true? 

Susanna: — Alas, my husband, it is true. He begged 
So tearfully. He said it was a freak 
Of his weary bi?jn. He said he had been ill. 
How could I not have pity on his bowed 
Gray head ? Forgive me, husband. 'Twas in your 
Behalf I kept it secret. 

Ickabot: (snarling): — These are tales 

Of wondrous cleverness. O pretty tales! 

Do you suppose they'll be believed? Just prove 

Them! 

Joseph: — Poor old men! To end their lives 

So dismally! — I was at Babylon 



SUSANNA 99 

While you would have me here. The elders all 
Will testify to it. 

Simeon: — At Babylon! 

My God, have mercy on me! Elders, I 
Confess. — O judges, mercy ! mercy ! Spare 
My life, O God! I cannot die. I am 
Too old — . O elders, see, I am too old 
To die this death! 

ICHABOT {dazed) : — At Babylon ! You say — 

You were — at Babylon? My God! I did 
Not think of that! 

(There is silence for a moment). 

Aaron: — There is no more to say? 

Simeon: — O judges, — O my God! — I'm mad! — O God, 
O God, O God! 

Aaron: — You, take your hand away! — 

Is there aught else to say? (pauses). There is 

no more 
To say. — Then render thanks to God, O ye 
Of Israel, for His abounding love 
And His exceeding mercy unto you. 
Ye have beheld Him in a day uphold 
Our dignity and honor: keep unhurt 
In a burning furnace three most precious lives, 
And here, preserve the guiltless and confound 
The guilty in their wickedness. O praise 
The Lord, ye tribes of Israel, Who made 
The fire innocuous, and destroyed a web 
Of cunning circumstance. — For these old men. 
Their name shall be abhorred in Juda, and 
A byword. Nor have we to judge them. They 



joo SUSANNA 

Have judged themselves. The Law virhich Ichabot 
Called down upon himself shall be fulfilled. — 
Read Naphtali, the Law. 

Naphtali {reads): — "If a false witness rise up against any 
man to testify against him that which is wrong; 

Then both the men, between whom the 
controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before 
the priests and judges which shall be in those days ; 
And the judges shall make diligent inquisi- 
tion: and, behold, if the witness be a false wit- 
ness, and hath testified falsely aga.inst his brother; 
Then shall ye do unto him as he had thought 
to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put 
the evil away from among you.' ' 

Aaron: — That which they swore 

Against their neighbor falsely, called for death. 
Their doom is death. It is our stern decree. 

Simeon {moaning) : — 

My God! My God! 

Woman: — The Lord be praised! 

Shua:— O God 

Is just ! Susanna's free ! 

Anna:— My child! 

Aaron: — Lead them 

Away. 

Susanna: — O God, I thank Thee. — Husband! 
Bailiffs {dragging Simeon and Ichabot) : — Come ! 



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